"Collective bargaining has been the fastest and most effective way for the regulation of AI technology," SAG-AFTRA Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stated, emphasizing the union's role in shaping AI usage in Hollywood.
I don't even know where to begin. I wasn't expecting this at all. I'm so honored and privileged to be nominated in categories with people and actors, and humans, that I love. I love their work and what they contribute to our craft. This ride has been unbelievable. So, thank you for welcoming me in and making me feel seen, bro.
By signing these bills today, we are enacting common sense laws that will ensure we are fully transparent when using images generated by artificial intelligence and also prevent the unauthorized commercial use of a deceased individual's name or likeness,
Driving the news: As part of the deal, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and will receive warrants to buy additional equity. Axios' Sarah Fischer and Jeffrey Cane report from a source familiar that Disney hopes the deal shows the tech industry that it's open to equitable agreements with AI firms - as long as its rights and creators are protected. What we know about the deal: What will Sora be able to do with Disney characters?
Actors, studios, agents, and the actors union SAG-AFTRA have all expressed their concerns about appearing in Sora 2's AI-generated videos ever since the deepfake machine was released last month. Now a joint statement from actor Bryan Cranston, OpenAI, the union, and others says that after videos of him appeared on Sora - one even showed him taking a selfie with Michael Jackson - the company has "strengthened guardrails" around its opt-in policy for likeness and voice.
Samwise Gamgee can't carry the One Ring, but he can carry the vote. Sean Astin was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeded Fran Drescher in the role. His mother, Patty Duke, was also SAG-AFTRA president 37 years before Astin's tenure. "Now is a time for optimism and creativity. I am thrilled that the members have allowed me to lead our storied organization out of this challenging moment and into a future defined by confidence, progress and fierce advocacy," Astin said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm excited to get to work."
The 2025 Interactive Media Agreement has been approved by SAG-AFTRA members, with 95.04% voting in favor. The agreement includes significant increases in compensation and improvements in health benefits.
This agreement builds on three decades of successful partnership between the interactive entertainment industry and the union. It delivers historic wage increases of over 24 percent for performers, enhanced health and safety protections, and industry-leading AI provisions requiring transparency, consent and compensation for the use of digital replicas in games.
