Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546062
Life, Liberty and Likeness THE NO FAKES ACT MEANS PROTECTION FOR YOUR VOICE, IMAGE AND FUTURE — AND THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY AGREES he fight for the right to one's own voice and likeness in the post-digital age has not been easy. The exponential proliferation of AI-generated tools in recent years has acquainted us with terms that feel part of a sci-fi blockbuster: "deepfakes," "digital replicas," "synthetic data" and many others. But the technology driving these phrases into the national lexicon has only become more real over the years, as have the real-world consequences of its use in society. SAG-AFTRA members know this all too well — an unauthorized likeness of a public figure can be used to falsely endorse a product, commit fraud or replace performance; an audio or visual replica of anyone can be so realistic it can trick an unsuspecting public into believing … anything — but the issue goes well beyond the soundstage. From the office to the hospital to local PTA meetings, the consequences of AI, if used maliciously and exploitatively, can be catastrophic both professionally and personally. "It doesn't matter if you're a public figure or a high schooler. Americans need and are demanding sensible action to ensure they have the power to say 'Not my face. Not my voice,'" said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin. Recognizing the real-life harm that falsely generated content can cause, SAG-AFTRA has been a leading proponent of the Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin speaks in support of the NO FAKES Act at the June 30 hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet. 50 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2026 | sagaftra.org CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.