AI Safeguards Established for Animation Voice Actors

Voice actors working in animated shows have recently achieved significant protections regarding the use of their voices to produce digital replicas. SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly ratified a three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) last week, with a vote of 95.52% in favor.

The new contract recognizes the vital role of human voice acting and explicitly states that voice actors are to be considered irreplaceable. One of the key enhancements in this agreement is that voice actors will receive compensation whenever a synthetic voice is derived from their performances for a recognizable character. This means that digital replicas can still warrant compensation, even if they don't mimic the original voice, as long as it can be proven that the synthetic voice was generated using the voice actor’s specific performances. Previously, digital replicas were required to sound identical to the original actor's voice.

In a statement reflecting on the agreement, the union emphasized, “Given that animation voiceover performances often achieve a distinct character voice that doesn’t necessarily resemble the actor’s normal speaking voice, we have established a critical new approach to A.I. recognizability.”

Additionally, voice actors will be entitled to residuals if their performances are altered into foreign languages. The contract mandates that producers must inform and negotiate with the union before deciding to utilize a digital voice instead of hiring a human voice actor.

Consent is a cornerstone of the new regulations; actors must agree before any AI system is allowed to generate a synthetic version of their voice. To ensure ongoing discussions about the technological advancements impacting their work, the contract also requires producers to hold regular meetings with the union to monitor the use of digital replicas.

This newly established agreement applies to animated series, miniseries, and television movies, though it does not extend to theatrical animated films. The contract is retroactive, covering the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026.

Reflecting on the successful negotiations, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s national executive director and chief negotiator, remarked, “We were able to ride the wave of our strike victory to secure a better deal for our members.” He highlighted that the momentum from the strike resulted in substantial wage increases, over $3 million in back pay, the addition of two new holidays, and the establishment of the first animation voiceover contract with explicit protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence.

This animation agreement follows a prior TV/Theatrical Contract finalized only after extensive negotiations and a lengthy strike, marked by controversies surrounding the use of AI technology in film and television. In November, SAG-AFTRA had previously secured contracts that compensated actors for the use of their AI-generated likenesses, further enhancing protections in an industry rapidly evolving with new technologies.

The recent backlash from voice actors concerning a partnership between SAG-AFTRA and Replica, allowing performers to create and license digital replicas of their voices, served as a wake-up call, prompting the union to ensure that these new protections are both stringent and respected moving forward.