The strikes in 2023 set precedent when it got here to AI. However as we close to the 2026 negotiations with streamers, SAG-AFTRA is being proactive in terms of laying out simply what they need by way of safety and the way AI is dealt with in Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA chief Duncan Crabtree-Eire was on a panel on the SeriesFest in Denver when he mentioned AI could be an enormous part within the upcoming talks.

“I’d by no means prejudge it, as a result of our members – we’re a member-driven group – determine what our priorities are going to be. We didn’t get all the things that I’d have needed [in 2023], or that they’d have needed in that negotiation. That is evolving over time. Within the industrial contract deal we simply bought, we achieved, for the primary time, a contractual limitation on using our members’ work for coaching AI techniques. That’s not one thing we now have been capable of obtain in any prior contract till simply now,” he mentioned.

Crabtree-Eire requires “consent and compensation” to paved the way. And it has been. Protections secured within the lately authorized 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract mandate that advertisers or companies should receive SAG-AFTRA’s consent previous to authorizing third-party use of economic materials for AI coaching.

Crabtree-Eire mentioned, “We’d have preferred to have had that within the TV theatrical settlement. We weren’t capable of obtain that regardless of being on strike for over 4 months. However I feel now, as this business evolves, as using the know-how evolves, and as our contracts evolve, we might be able to make progress in areas the place everybody was simply too, frankly, scared to succeed in settlement earlier than, and we actually wish to see that. There’s quite a bit to enhance upon, although these guardrails and pointers have turn into so vital, and I feel have served our members very nicely, however we’re at all times within the temper of bettering our contracts each time.”

In terms of speaking with streamers, SAG has been very proud of the cautious conversations they’re each having.

He mentioned, “It’s been a way more cautious uptake than I had initially anticipated. I do assume a part of that’s pushed by the contractual limitations and guidelines that we’ve bought. I feel in all probability an enormous a part of it’s, in the course of the strikes, it turned actually obvious that the general public can also be very involved about what A.I. means, and I feel these corporations are fascinated with what the ramifications are for his or her relationship with their customers as a part of rolling the stuff out and making an attempt to keep away from making missteps, which, frankly, I recognize. As a result of I feel if we work collectively on this rollout, it may be a lot better than it could have been in some kind of gold rush.”

That is all nice information for individuals in SAG wanting each protections and to keep away from one other lengthy strike. I do assume loads of this may be solved with good-faith conversations on either side. And AI we have seen just isn’t so good that it could possibly actually change actors.

However if you wish to dub issues in one other language or have to scan somebody for VFX, there needs to be cash paid for picture and likeness use. And protections in proudly owning your personal picture and likeness after being scanned as nicely.

Know-how will at all times evolve and alter. That is going to be a continuing. Having these conversations early and discovering widespread floor is what permits labor unions to hunt truthful pay for the individuals they characterize, and studios to clarify their sides, so everybody can see the center floor.

We’ll hold you up to date as this all evolves.