The U.S. Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has filed a labor complaint against Llama Productions, a subsidiary of Epic Games, for allegedly using AI to replace voice actors in the game Fortnite without the union's consent. The complaint follows backlash over an AI-generated Darth Vader character that utilized offensive language during a game event. SAG-AFTRA claims that Epic acted unilaterally in replacing human voice actors with AI, violating labor agreements. The union seeks involvement from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to address these issues and emphasizes its role in negotiating terms regarding AI's use in place of human work. They assert that while the union supports AI technologies to enhance experiences, any changes affecting actors' roles must be negotiated. If the NLRB finds violations, Epic could be forced to reinstate affected employees and provide back pay, although no fines would be imposed. This complaint occurs against the backdrop of ongoing strikes by SAG-AFTRA members and highlights the growing tensions around AI use in entertainment and its implications for labor rights.

Source 🔗