UK Actors Vote To Refuse To Be Digitally Scanned In Pushback Against AI
- Reference: 0180418795
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/12/18/2133209/uk-actors-vote-to-refuse-to-be-digitally-scanned-in-pushback-against-ai
- Source link:
> Actors have [1]voted to refuse digital scanning to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against AI in the arts. Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice in which actors' likeness is captured for future use -- with 99% voting in favor of the move. The vote was an indicative ballot designed to demonstrate the strength of feeling on the issue, with more than 7,000 members polled on a 75% turnout. However, actors would not be legally protected if they refused to be scanned.
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> The union said it would write to Pact, the trade body representing the majority of producers and production companies in the UK, to negotiate new minimum standards for pay, as well as terms and conditions for actors working in film and TV. Equity said it may hold a formal ballot depending on the outcome of the negotiations, which, if backed, would give actors legal protection if they were being pressed to accept digital scanning on set.
The general secretary, Paul Fleming, said: "Artificial intelligence is a generation-defining challenge. And for the first time in a generation, Equity's film and TV members have shown that they are willing to take industrial action. Ninety per cent of TV and film is made on these agreements. Over three-quarters of artists working on them are union members. This shows that the workforce is willing to significantly disrupt production unless they are respected, and [if] decades of erosion in terms and conditions begins to be reversed."
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/18/equity-actors-vote-to-refuse-to-be-digitally-scanned-in-pushback-against-ai
Great news, eh? (Score:2)
Maybe we'll finally see a return to real film. I'll dig up my ole, trusty 500C/M from the basement just in case.
UK actors? All four of them? (Score:1)
Seems like the same faces keep reappearing in British productions over and over again. AI clones won't help with that.
Re: (Score:2)
Tell me you know nothing about the UK without actually saying it. Hilarious.
Rather pointless. (Score:2)
They are actors, not supermodels. They can always scan other willing individuals and then make a composite of the features they want to make a new "actor". The appearance of an individual is just about the least important part if they want to replace you with AI. That said, I understand it and would vote the same way.
At this point, I'm a bit confused why they don't generate a large amount of motion capture data to create segments, actions, reactions, etc. before stringing them together into what they want
Should go in the standard contract (Score:2)
Actor unions have standard contracts. This should definitely be part of it. Especially for the low level actors. They get paid a small amount - when the producers feel like it. There are lots of stories of people being screwed by producers.
That alone is good reason for the actors to demand it be put in the contract.
Your Body is Your Most Sincere Intellectual Proper (Score:2)
It's your body. Duh.