As the SAG-AFTRA strike commenced, actors Sebastian Roché joined the picket lines alongside thousands of others, aiming to secure a just agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). While advocating for fair treatment, he also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the perils of artificial intelligence (AI), not just for the entertainment industry, but for workers worldwide.
Roché emphasized the global significance of the AI issue, stating that it will impact various professions, including actors, if proper actions are not taken. With an alarming estimation of 300 million jobs being lost to AI over the next five years, actors feel it is imperative to safeguard their own images by fighting for copyright protection. They cannot allow their images to be exploited indefinitely without fair compensation.
In addition to SAG-AFTRA members, WGA members also stood together on the picket line. Roché expressed hope that prominent actors, possessing a larger platform, could draw attention to the repercussions of a lawless AI technology. He referenced a recent report which featured a studio executive suggesting that writers should face financial hardships during strikes [as a negotiation tactic], a statement that greatly outraged and mobilized the unions.
Roché called for just compensation for the creative talents in the industry, urging a reduction in the exorbitant wages paid to CEOs by shareholders. He asserted that the struggle was not about serving the interests of shareholders, but rather about art and connecting with people. Creatives yearn for a fair deal that recognizes their skills and contributions to the industry.
The SAG-AFTRA strike is a battleground for fair treatment and justice, not only for actors, but also for workers globally. It is a fight against the looming misuse of AI, and against the predicted loss of millions of jobs in the coming years. This strike aims not only to protect actors’ images and livelihood from AI abuses, but also to shed light on the need for equitable compensation for the industry’s creative workforce.
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