**Actors Vote to Reject Digital Scanning for AI Protections**
Actors in the UK have decisively voted against digital scanning on set, aiming to secure robust protections against artificial intelligence exploitation. Equity, the largest acting union in the UK, revealed the results of an indicative industrial action ballot on Thursday, showing a turnout exceeding 75%. An overwhelming 99% of participants expressed their willingness to refuse digital scans.
Concerns have been mounting among actors regarding the unauthorized use of their work, voice, and likeness, prompting Equity to advocate for transparency in terms and fair compensation for such usage. At a press conference in Covent Garden, Equity’s general secretary, Paul Fleming, emphasized the significance of this vote, stating, “Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge. For the first time in a generation, Equity’s film and TV members have indicated their readiness to take industrial action.”
Fleming highlighted that 90% of television and film productions operate under agreements that involve union members, indicating a strong collective willingness to disrupt production unless their rights are respected. He urged US streamers and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) to acknowledge this show of strength and to establish adequate AI protections that build upon the agreements reached after the SAG-AFTRA strike in the USA over two years ago.
This vote follows a period of unrest in the US, where members of SAG-AFTRA engaged in a four-month strike in 2023 over similar issues, including AI protections. While nearly all Equity voters expressed readiness for industrial action, Fleming clarified that such action is not predetermined and depends on the producers’ response.
The vote comes after 18 months of negotiations with PACT, which represents a majority of UK film and TV production companies. Although PACT claims to have made significant strides in discussions regarding the rights of performers in relation to digital replicas and synthetic performers, the ongoing use of data remains a contentious issue.
In conclusion, the overwhelming support for rejecting digital scanning underscores the urgency for the industry to address the concerns of performers regarding AI and digital rights, setting the stage for potential future actions if their demands are not met.
**FAQ**
**What are the main concerns of actors regarding AI and digital scanning?**
Actors are primarily concerned about the unauthorized use of their likeness, voice, and performances through digital scanning, which they fear could occur without their explicit consent. They are advocating for clear terms and fair compensation for any such usage.
