Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1475555
covering your work, your only potential recourse is costly litigation. The entertainment and media industry is always evolving, and as technology advances, it seems that the pace of change is ever-increasing. SAG-AFTRA members and staff are continually working with tech firms, attending conferences and staying up to date on all the latest information in this emerging field to ensure members are protected. "Artificial intelligence is opening new frontiers in digital manipulation, and while it is new territory, it doesn't have to be scary, as long as we stay informed about the potential hazards," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. "As we move into this bold new future together, your union will be standing by your side." • What You Can Do S AG-AFTRA is actively engaging in discussions with companies creating AI content, and has crafted contracts that are relevant to this new work area, are easy to use and provide protections for both the performer and the employer. But your help is critical in establishing a strong foothold in these emerging spaces. Don't work off the card: Many AI companies have websites through which anyone can submit their voice or likeness and sign up to be an AI "spokesperson." Working in this space without a SAG-AFTRA contract is not only a dangerous move for a professional performer, it also impedes the union's efforts to set fair terms and protections. Let your union help: If you are approached to do this kind of work, ask your employer to consider hiring you under a union contract. SAG-AFTRA staff is happy to talk to them and make the process of becoming a signatory simple and easy. Talk to your peers and students: Let your peers know that their best protection, when working with AI technology, is a union contract. If you teach classes to or mentor actors who are early in their careers, warn them of the risks discussed in this article. Communicate with your representatives: Ask your professional representatives if they are current on the technology and understand the risks associated with it, and let them know that you aren't interested in venturing into this space without your union behind you. In Event of Moon Disaster was produced under a SAG-AFTRA agreement and is part of an MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality project intended to educate the public on deepfakes. SAG-AFTRA Senior Assistant General Counsel, Contracts and Compliance Danielle Van Lier provided guidance for lawyers who are representing performers in connection with AI-generated content in the May 2022 issue of Los Angeles Lawyer magazine. READ THE ARTICLE HERE.