SAG-AFTRA Praises CA Bill Regulating AI Usage of Dead Performers

SAG-AFTRA is praising the California state Senate for passing a legislation that restricts the utilization of synthetic intelligence-created digital replicas of useless performers.

The actors union shared in an announcement shortly after the passage of AB 1836 on Saturday, “For individuals who would use the digital replicas of deceased performers in movies, TV reveals, videogames, audiobooks, sound recordings and extra, with out first getting the consent of these performers’ estates, the California Senate simply stated NO. AB 1836 is one other win in SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing technique of enhancing performer protections in a world of generative synthetic intelligence. The passing of this invoice, together with AB 2602 earlier this week, construct on our mosaic of protections in legislation and contract.”

“Each of those payments have been a legislative precedence for the union on behalf of our membership and past, making express consent in California necessary,” the assertion continued. “We stay up for these payments being signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.”

The invoice now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, and he can have till the top of September to resolve whether or not to signal it into legislation, veto it or enable it to change into legislation with out his signature. Earlier this week, the state Senate additionally handed AB 2602, which tightens consent necessities for digital replicas of residing performers.

SAG-AFTRA has lengthy been championing protections over AI utilization on a legislative stage, notably because the union’s 118-day strike final 12 months, which largely trusted provisions surrounding AI in its contracts with Hollywood studios and streamers.

On the federal stage, bipartisan lawmakers have additionally been engaged on payments surrounding AI protections, together with the NO FAKES Act, which is meant to guard actors, singers and others from having AI packages generate their likenesses and voices with out their knowledgeable written consent. The No AI Fraud Act has additionally been launched, which prohibits the publication and distribution of unauthorized digital replicas, together with deepfakes and voice clones.