US video game performers announce strike over ongoing AI concerns

Video game performers within United States actors union SAG-AFTRA have voted to go on strike starting Friday, 26th July, after “more than than a year and a half of negotiations” with major game companies over the use of AI have failed to reach a deal.

SAG-AFTRA members initially voted in favour of (but did not immediately take) strike action last September, after the union failed to reach a consensus with video game producers – including Activision, Warner Bros, EA, Take-Two, and Disney – while attempting to negotiate a successor to the Interactive Media Agreement, which covers members’ work on games.

At the time, SAG-AFTRA said companies had refused to offer acceptable terms on critical issues, including wages in-line with inflation, protections around exploitative uses of AI, and job safety.