SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has released a statement announcing a strike by video game actors on July 25. The strike brings to the forefront the complaints and concerns that many have been expressing for some time about generative artificial intelligence.

SAG-AFTRA, the guild that represents actors as well as television and radio artists, has voted to authorize a video game strike. The guild released a full statement on its website, noting that “AI protections remain a sticking point” in its agreements with major entertainment companies. SAG-AFTRA proposes that companies that want to hire guild members for their games must sign at least one of a series of agreements: the Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interim Interactive Media Agreement, or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement. These agreements, which SAG-AFTRA has offered, prioritize protections against “AI abuse.”

SAG-AFTRA members working on video games go on strike Read more: https://t.co/k1ZTsrJpl0 pic.twitter.com/o7NEnHbodb

Video game actors are rarely, if ever, compensated on the same level as actors in TV and movies, despite gaming routinely surpassing those mediums in generated revenue. One way gaming giants have tried to cut costs and maximize profits is through the use of generative AI. Companies see a big opportunity to save the money they would use to pay actors by using generative AI voice and face banks.