Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541667
22 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2025 | sagaftra.org A Letter from the National Executive Director Dear Member, H eadlines around Sora 2, synthetic characters and digital replicas of real human performers have understandably alarmed those who make their living using their voice and likeness in entertainment and media. Because SAG-AFTRA has been analyzing A.I. and its implications since 2017, these high-profile A.I. stories have given us a chance to highlight the bargaining and legislative work we're doing and have been doing for years now. As our industry partners joined us in responding, I was encouraged to see Creative Artists Agency using SAG-AFTRA's own "control, permission for use and compensation" language in its announcement that they were opting out of Sora 2. Additionally, I am heartened that OpenAI quickly took action when it was revealed that Bryan Cranston's voice and likeness could be created on their video generator. The company has since strengthened guardrails around replication of voice and likeness when individuals do not opt-in, and OpenAI has also committed to responding quickly to any future complaints. Still, this is only a start and more work needs to be done to protect members. This is why SAG-AFTRA's bargaining and legislative work is so essential in this new era. Currently, the union is working on identifying tools that will be useful for identifying and tracking unauthorized use of members' voices and likenesses, so we can be more effective in enforcing our contracts and protecting individual rights. For these reasons, the NO FAKES Act, which is supported by SAG-AFTRA, the AFL-CIO, OpenAI, Google/YouTube, the major studios and streamers, the record labels, and many of our talent agency partners, among others, is critically needed as it would provide a national standard that gives performers meaningful protection of informed consent for their voices and likenesses. If you're curious to see a very substantial timeline of all the A.I.-related bargaining and legislative achievements our union has accomplished since 2017, please take a look at the A.I. feature on page 62 of this issue. Switching gears for a moment, I'd like to extend my gratitude to all who participated in our recently-concluded biennial convention. It was a productive several days, where delegates discussed the union's future, considered resolutions and elected new leadership. Congratulations to Executive Vice President Linda Powell and all of our newly elected national vice presidents who were elected there: Vice President, Los Angeles Lisa Ann Walter; Vice President, New York Ezra Knight; Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Nikki Izanec; Vice President, Small Locals Suzanne Burkhead; Vice President, Actors/Performers Shari Belafonte; Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler; and Vice President, Recording Artists/ Singers Fletcher Sheridan. And let me also take this opportunity to congratulate our new president, Sean Astin, and Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd, who were elected in September. They have hit the ground running and it's been incredibly satisfying to see them take the reins and help them achieve their vision. To read more about our convention, see page 70. With TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations just around the corner, it is crucial with this contract — as it is with all of our contracts — that we have member input. Wages and working conditions meetings are ongoing, and if you haven't already participated, I implore you to get involved as our bargaining proposals are a direct result of the concerns members voice at the W&W's. Our union is incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate, effective and dedicated contingent of member leaders. This is a pivotal time for SAG-AFTRA, and as our ongoing work keeping members prosperous and protected during an age of ever-advancing innovation continues, I look forward to working with our capable and diligent elected leadership. In unity, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland D U N C A N C R A B T R E E - I R E L A N D "The NO FAKES Act … would provide performers' meaningful protection of informed consent for their voices and likenesses."