SAG-AFTRA, Replica Studios Introduce AI Voice Agreement

Carolyn Giardina
·1 min read

SAG-AFTRA and AI voice technology company Replica Studios introduced an AI voice agreement on the opening day of CES, where AI is a defining subject at the Las Vegas confab.

According to SAG-AFTRA, the agreement allows its members to “safely explore new employment opportunities for their digital voice replicas with industry-leading protections tailored to AI technology, allowing AAA video game studios and other companies working with Replica to access top SAG-AFTRA talent.” According to the Guild, this covers licensed voices “in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.”

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Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national exec director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, said the agreement contains “evolution improvements” such as safe storage to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers agreement. AI was a pivotal issue in resolving its recent strike with AMPTP, which represents Hollywood producers.

In addition to establishing minimum terms and conditions, the agreement also aims to ensure performer consent and negotiation for uses of their digital voice double and requires that performers have the opportunity to opt out of its continued use in new works.

He added that the language in this new agreement could be used as SAG-AFTRA continues additional negotiations in other areas where AI is concerned. “This agreement is about voice replication in video games,” he said, adding that these voice over actors are on the “cutting edge of the implementation of AI and the risks that come with it.”

Ireland made the announcement at CES with Replica Studios’ co-founder and CEO Shreyas Nivas.

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