Actors in the gaming industry recently went on strike due to concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) threatening their jobs. This strike has revived the debate on how entertainment adapts to new technologies.
Jennifer Hale, a renowned voice actor known for roles like Commander Shepard in Mass Effect, highlights the fear that AI could reproduce her voice without fair compensation. Hale joins 2,500 members of the US actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, striking against major gaming companies like Activision and EA to demand AI protections.
Hale fears that companies could use AI to generate performances without paying actors. This concern echoes last year’s SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike, which successfully negotiated terms with Hollywood studios for film and TV actors but left video game voice actors unprotected.
Despite gaming’s massive revenue, voice actors in the industry earn less than their film and TV counterparts. Hale, a single mother, stresses the financial strain this disparity causes, emphasizing the need for fair compensation.
The strike also highlights broader workplace concerns about AI. Hale suggests that ignoring the plight of actors could lead to wider repercussions across industries.
In the UK, actor David Menkin voices concerns that US companies might hire British talent to circumvent the strike. UK regulations prevent Equity union members from striking, but solidarity remains strong.
Jennifer Hale hopes for a resolution that balances creative integrity with commercial interests, urging companies to recognize the shared stakes in the evolving landscape of AI and entertainment.