Summary: SAG-AFTRA, the influential performers’ union, has collaborated with Replica Studios, an AI voice acting platform, to reshape the video game industry. The agreement enables SAG-AFTRA members to license their voices for use in video games, allowing professional voiceover artists to explore new employment opportunities in the digital realm. This partnership follows SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing efforts to navigate the integration of AI in Hollywood. While the agreement covers crucial aspects such as minimum rates, safe storage, and transparency requirements, it does not address the use of actors’ replicas for training large language models (LLMs). However, Replica Studios has expressed interest in pursuing such collaborations in the future.
In a groundbreaking move, SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios are paving the way for a revolution in the video game industry. With the partnership between the actors’ union and the AI voice acting platform, performers now possess greater flexibility in licensing their voices for game studios. This not only opens up new avenues for employment but also ensures that professional voiceover artists can confidently venture into the realm of digital voice replicas.
The agreement meticulously addresses the creation and utilization of “digital voice replicas,” outlining provisions for minimum rates, safe storage, and transparency requirements. Importantly, it also emphasizes that the use of these replicas must comply with limitations concerning payment and consent, protecting the rights and interests of the performers involved.
However, the agreement does leave one significant aspect unaddressed. It does not provide guidelines on whether actors’ replicas can be used to train LLMs. While Replica Studios CEO, Shreyas Nivas, acknowledged this omission, he expressed the company’s keen interest in exploring potential collaborations in this area. LLMs have gained increasing prominence in recent years, and the integration of actors’ replicas for training purposes holds promise for future collaborations between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios.
Although this partnership represents a significant leap forward for the video game industry, it is essential to note that SAG-AFTRA’s agreement with Replica Studios only encompasses a fraction of the game industry. Concurrently, the union continues to negotiate with major game studios after authorizing a strike last fall. This collaboration with Replica Studios serves as an inspiration and encourages other video game companies to embrace innovative solutions that enhance the gaming experience while respecting the rights of the performers.
As the CES 2024 unfolds in Las Vegas from January 6-12, this groundbreaking collaboration between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios captures the attention of industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this disruptive partnership and all other news from CES 2024.
The source of the article is from the blog zaman.co.at