Gaming Industry Faces Labor Unrest Over AI Protections for Performers

Hollywood's video game performers are set to protest at Warner Bros. Studios, calling for better protections against AI misuse. The strike follows 18 months of stalled negotiations with major gaming companies. Union leaders argue AI poses a significant threat to performers' rights and compensation.

Hollywood's video game performers are gearing up for a significant protest at Warner Bros. Studios on Thursday. They accuse leading gaming companies of failing to protect voice actors and motion capture workers from the unregulated use of artificial intelligence. This demonstration is the first major labor action since last week's strike vote by game voice actors and performance workers.

The work stoppage follows stalled negotiations with major gaming companies, including divisions of Activision, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney Co. Union leaders warn that AI poses an existential threat to performers, with the potential for voices and likenesses to be replicated without consent or fair compensation.

Audrey Cooling, spokesperson for the video game producers, stated that companies have proposed AI protections and significant wage increases for SAG-AFTRA performers. However, the union's negotiating committee argues that the industry's definition of who qualifies as a 'performer' is a critical issue still to be addressed. The global video game industry, which generated nearly USD 184 billion in revenue in 2023, remains firm on reaching an agreement to end the strike.