Some Anime Actors Are Not Happy with SAG-AFTRA’s New AI Agreement

by Danica Davidson
January 10, 2024

AI voice technology company Replica Studios (a.k.a. Replica) just made an agreement with The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (a.k.a. SAG-AFTRA) about the use of artificial intelligence in the voiceover world, and some anime actors are not fans.

SAG-AFTRA wrote on its site:

The agreement between the leading AI voice company and the world’s largest performers’ union will enable Replica to engage SAG-AFTRA members under a fair, ethical agreement to safely create and license a digital replica of their voice. Licensed voices can be used in video game development and other interactive media projects from pre-production to final release.

Approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community, this contract marks an important step towards the ethical use of AI voices in creative projects by game developers, and sets the basis for fair and equitable employment of voice actors as they explore the new revenue opportunities provided by AI. In addition to establishing minimum terms and conditions, the agreement ensures performer consent and negotiation for uses of their digital voice double and requires that performers have the opportunity to opt out of its continued use in new works.

But some prominent anime voice actors noted that while the statement said this agreement was “approved by affected members,” they were not asked about this. For example, here is a response from Steve Blum, whose anime voice credits include Cowboy Bebop and The Big O, along with many other titles:

Excuse me? With all due respect…you state in the article “Approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.” Nobody in our community approved this that I know of. Games are the bulk of my livelihood and have been for years. Who are you referring to?

— Steve Blum (@blumspew) January 9, 2024

Yong Yea of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure also weighed in, saying from his experience many voice actors were unaware this was going on until the agreement had been made.

Every voice actor I know not only didn’t approve this, they pretty much heard about this for the first time today on Twitter.

— Yong Yea (@YongYea) January 9, 2024

And Melissa Medína of the Japanese video game Granblue Fantasy Versus had this to say on the matter:

What a betrayal. I tried to inform @sagaftra about their utter failure to make any REAL AI protections & they instead got in bed with an AI company. Don’t give your voice to this. SAG proved it absolutely has no understanding of AI nor any intention to protect us from it. https://t.co/HxUJRHaRGk

— MELISSA MEDÍNA (@melissamedinavo) January 9, 2024

Medína also gave this suggestion:

What you can do:

Contact SAG with your concerns: (855) 724-2387 / [email protected]

Tag SAG with your concerns

Help @NAVAVOICES with their legal defense fund

— MELISSA MEDÍNA (@melissamedinavo) January 9, 2024

Source: ANN, SAG-AFTRA

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.