Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541667
68 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2025 | sagaftra.org deserves recognition. This feature allows you to create a digital replica of yourself and control its use within Sora 2, including whether others can access it. Critically, this approach is opt-in, which makes all the difference. … This reflects months of dialogue between SAG-AFTRA and OpenAI, along with the dedicated work of our A.I. Taskforce and staff. But fundamentally, we must remember and remind everyone that audiences don't build emotional connections or lifelong relationships with algorithms. They connect with artists. … If you scrape, feed or otherwise deconstruct the love or anger into a trillion component parts and then reassemble them to be manipulated and repurposed without telling the audience exactly where it came from, you are cheapening their experience and unmooring their reality. We know that some companies will continue to push the limits, marketing "synthetic performers" as the next big thing. And while tools like Sora 2 generate awe for their technical prowess, audiences continue to show that what moves them most is not simulation, it's sincerity. The real connection happens only when a living performer brings a story to life. Our commitment is simple and our position is unwavering: l Performance must remain human-centered. l A.I. can enhance creativity, but it must never replace it. l A.I. use must be transparent, consensual and compensated. We invite you to learn more about your protections and our ongoing advocacy at sagaftra.org/ai. This moment is noisy, but it's also clarifying. The world must be reminded that what moves us isn't synthetic. It's human. And as long as SAG-AFTRA exists, that humanity will be defended. • The complete text can be viewed at sagaftra.org. STAY UPDATED ON THE UNION'S A.I. WORK. SCAN HERE OR VISIT SAGAFTR A.ORG/AI TURN PAGE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE TIMELINE 68 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2025 | sagaftra.org SAG-AFTRA has fought for and will continue to fight for strong, enforceable protections. roughout labor history, when new technologies emerge and are adopted by business, workers are disadvantaged and unions must fight to protect them. Sora 2 Voice/Likeness Protection Deal Struck by SAG-AFTRA, OpenAI When OpenAI's Sora 2 was initially launched in an invite-only release in October, actor Bryan Cranston's voice and likeness were able to be generated in some outputs without consent or compensation. OpenAI expressed regret for these unintentional generations, has strengthened guardrails around replication of voice and likeness when individuals do not opt-in, and has also committed to responding expeditiously to any complaints it may receive. Cranston, who brought the issue to the attention of SAG-AFTRA, said, "I was deeply concerned not just for myself, but for all performers whose work and identity can be misused in this way. I am grateful to OpenAI for its policy and for improving its guardrails, and hope that they and all of the companies involved in this work, respect our personal and professional right to manage replication of our voice and likeness." OpenAI's new framework aligns with the principles embodied in the NO FAKES Act, pending federal legislation designed to protect performers and the public from unauthorized digital replication. OpenAI, SAG-AFTRA, Cranston and his representatives at United Talent Agency, the Association of Talent Agents and Creative Artists Agency share a strong, unified position in favor of the NO FAKES Act and endorse its goal of establishing a national standard that ensures performers' voices and likenesses cannot be used without permission. Bryan Cranston at the SAG-AFTRA "Rock The City For A Fair Contract" rally in Times Square, New York City on July 25, 2025. DEREK FRENCH/SHUTTERSTOCK