Alright, a few takeaways from the 6 hours I spent on zoom today in the membership meeting w/ Duncan and the captains meeting w/ NegCom:1) We were never gonna completely stop Ai. We were almost never gonna get ANY protections from it whatsoever, but now...
The studios have to disclose to us any attempt at using Generative AI to create a synthetic fake to replace an actor. They don't get to do that shit in the shadows, we will know what they're up to, and WE CAN SAY NO. SAG can straight up not approve it...
The technology isn't there to fully replace an actor with Generative AI yet, and in 2.5 years when it has evolved, we'll have a stronger idea of what additional regulations we need. The Digital Replica language is more specified bc that tech exists, we know what to regulate...
2) Re: AI training - that has to be decided on in the courts. There's ongoing litigation right now over whether training AI w/ copyrighted material is technically infringement or not. Not something we can fix in our contract. WGA had to punt on this too...
3) Re: the lackluster zombie clause wording. I didn't get an exact answer on this, but SAG is preparing to have a portal where you can file your consent preferences. A very odd thing to have, but that's technology for ya! ...
4) Re: this Digital Replica exemption. Well, it is a constitutional thing, and it's technically no different than SNL parodying you. But breaches can be challenged. NegCom encourages members to FILE CLAIMS. Enforcement of any contract is always key...
5) I feel reassured that everyone - Duncan, Ray, and the NegCom - all acknowledged that our Ai provisions are a START, and that we will now monitor the evolution of it and prepare to build more regulations in 2026 when the GenAI ball game will be clearer for every player...
6) We also discussed what would happen if this contract was voted down - Most likely we would continue operating under the expired 2020 contract with zero gains, and we would go back to the table w/o the leverage of a double strike and risk losing the gains we currently made...
And we have some really great fucking wins in this contract!! The advanced residual protections are GREAT. The relocation money is GREAT. The brand spanking new HB AVOD money is ridiculously GREAT. So many great victories in here...
I personally am asking myself what additional gains could we realistically get now if we go back to the table. And I'm struggling to think of any. That's where I'm at after 6 hrs of Q&A.If you have concerns, I highly recommend attending a meeting or emailing SAG w/ questions!
One more important point!! If we were to completely prevent the AMPTP studios from using any kind of AI entirely, there'd still be no way to stop other companies w/ no contractual obligation to SAG-AFTRA from doing all the bullshit instead. And we would be all of the way FUCKED.