×
Actors union strikes AI voice deal with startup Ethovox
Written by
Published on
Join our daily newsletter for breaking news, product launches and deals, research breakdowns, and other industry-leading AI coverage
Join Now

Groundbreaking AI voice model agreement: SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and performers, has reached a significant deal with Ethovox, a company developing an advanced AI voice model.

  • The agreement focuses on fair compensation for voice performers whose work contributes to training Ethovox’s AI model, which could be used to create “digital replicas” of voices.
  • This deal marks a notable step in addressing concerns about AI’s impact on the entertainment industry and performers’ rights.

Key provisions of the agreement: The contract between SAG-AFTRA and Ethovox sets important precedents for performer compensation and protection in the age of AI voice technology.

  • Voice actors will receive both upfront session fees and ongoing revenue sharing for the duration of the foundational model’s use.
  • The agreement ensures that performers can participate in Ethovox’s AI model development with the assurance of fair compensation and protection.
  • Ethovox has committed to creating a diverse and inclusive voice model, reflecting a range of performers.

Implications for the entertainment industry: This agreement could serve as a model for future negotiations between performers’ unions and AI companies in the rapidly evolving landscape of synthetic media.

  • The deal addresses growing concerns about AI potentially replacing human performers or using their work without proper compensation.
  • It sets a benchmark for how performers can be fairly compensated for their contributions to AI technology development.

Ongoing labor issues in voice acting: Despite this progress, labor tensions persist in certain sectors of the voice acting industry.

  • Video game voice actors represented by SAG-AFTRA remain on strike, highlighting the complex and evolving nature of labor negotiations in the digital entertainment space.
  • The ongoing strike underscores the need for continued dialogue and negotiation between performers and industry stakeholders across various media formats.

Balancing innovation and performers’ rights: The SAG-AFTRA-Ethovox agreement represents a step towards finding a middle ground between technological advancement and protecting performers’ livelihoods.

  • As AI technology continues to advance in the realm of voice synthesis, similar agreements may become necessary across various entertainment sectors.
  • The deal could encourage other AI companies to proactively engage with performers’ unions to establish ethical and fair practices in AI development.

Looking ahead: Challenges and opportunities: While this agreement marks progress, the rapid pace of AI development in entertainment will likely present ongoing challenges and opportunities for performers and unions.

  • Monitoring the implementation and impact of this agreement will be crucial for assessing its effectiveness and potentially refining future deals.
  • The entertainment industry may see a shift towards more collaborative approaches between AI developers and performers, potentially leading to new creative possibilities and career opportunities.
SAG-AFTRA has announced an agreement with Ethovox, which is building a “foundational AI model for voice.”

Recent News

Baidu reports steepest revenue drop in 2 years amid slowdown

China's tech giant Baidu saw revenue drop 3% despite major AI investments, signaling broader challenges for the nation's technology sector amid economic headwinds.

How to manage risk in the age of AI

A conversation with Palo Alto Networks CEO about his approach to innovation as new technologies and risks emerge.

How to balance bold, responsible and successful AI deployment

Major companies are establishing AI governance structures and training programs while racing to deploy generative AI for competitive advantage.