
AI Usage at a Glance
Nov 1, 2023
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA deployed contractual rules in its 2023 TV/Theatrical Agreement governing how AI-generated digital replicas and synthetic performers of union members may be created and used in film and television production. Producers must obtain informed consent and pay compensation to any performer whose voice or likeness is digitally replicated, and must notify the union before using wholly AI-generated synthetic performers.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jan 1, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to create and license AI-generated digital replicas of their voices for use in video game development and other interactive media through a partnership agreement with Replica Studios, announced in January 2024. Participation is voluntary and requires the performer's informed consent and minimum scale compensation for each use.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jan 9, 2024
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios Introduce Groundbreaking AI Voice Agreement at CES
Evidence AddedView practice →Mar 1, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA deployed AI protections in its Television Animation Agreement, ratified in March 2024, as the first SAG-AFTRA animation voiceover contract to include protections against AI misuse. The agreement requires consent when an AI system is prompted with a performer's name, and mandates notice and bargaining whenever any synthetic voice — not just human character voices — is created via generative AI.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Apr 1, 2024
Creative GenNew evidence: Generative AI in Movies and TV: How the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA Contracts Address Generative AI
Evidence AddedView practice →Apr 1, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA deployed AI guardrails in its Sound Recording Code, ratified in April 2024, requiring that record companies obtain clear and conspicuous consent from artists — with minimum compensation and specific disclosed details of use — before releasing any sound recording that uses a digital replication of an artist's voice. The terms also limit the definition of 'artist' to humans only.
Practice DocumentedView practice →May 1, 2024
OtherPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA uses a sustained public policy and legislative advocacy program to push for laws and regulations governing the use of AI-generated digital replicas of performers' voices and likenesses at both state and federal levels. This includes co-drafting legislation, submitting regulatory comments, and testifying before Congress.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jun 4, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA deployed the Dynamic AI Audio Commercials Waiver in June 2024, setting contract terms for how advertisers may use AI to create personalized, dynamically customized audio ads using digital voice replicas of union members. The waiver is available only to signatories of the SAG-AFTRA Audio Commercials Contract and requires the performer's informed consent at each stage.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jun 5, 2024
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA Debuts New Waiver Covering Personalized, AI-Assisted Audio Ads
Evidence AddedView practice →Aug 1, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to license AI-generated digital voice replicas for use in digital audio advertisements through a partnership agreement with Narrativ, announced in August 2024. Members who opt in can set their own rates (above union minimums), specify ad preferences, and must approve each individual use of their digital voice replica.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Aug 14, 2024
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA Strikes Groundbreaking AI Digital Voice Replica Pact With Startup Firm Narrativ
Evidence AddedView practice →Aug 16, 2024
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA Rolls Out Dynamic A.I. Audio Commercials Waiver
Evidence AddedView practice →Oct 28, 2024
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to contribute their voices to the training of a foundational AI voice model being built by Ethovox, under an agreement signed in October 2024 that requires informed consent and provides session fees plus ongoing revenue sharing. The foundational model itself is not user-facing and individual voices will not be identifiable in its output.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jul 1, 2025
OtherNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA A.I. Bargaining And Policy Work Timeline
Evidence AddedView practice →Jul 1, 2025
Creative GenPractice documented: SAG-AFTRA deployed AI protections in its 2025 Interactive Media Agreement, ratified in July 2025, which requires consent and disclosure for AI digital replica use and allows performers to suspend consent for the generation of new AI material during a strike. The agreement ended an 11-month video game strike.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Jul 9, 2025
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve 2025 Video Game Agreement
Evidence AddedView practice →Jul 10, 2025
Creative GenNew evidence: SAG-AFTRA Overwhelmingly Approves Video Game Agreement, Marking Official End To Nearly Yearlong Strike
Evidence AddedView practice →SAG-AFTRA deployed AI protections in its Television Animation Agreement, ratified in March 2024, as the first SAG-AFTRA animation voiceover contract to include protections against AI misuse. The agreement requires consent when an AI system is prompted with a performer's name, and mandates notice and bargaining whenever any synthetic voice — not just human character voices — is created via generative AI.
Ratified in March 2024, the Television Animation Agreement includes AI provisions that go further than the live-action TV/Theatrical Agreement in some respects. For example, consent is required whenever a generative AI system is prompted with a performer's name — regardless of whether a 'major facial feature' is included, as is required in live action. Additionally, if a producer creates any synthetic voice through generative AI — including non-human characters — they must give SAG-AFTRA notice and bargain for appropriate consideration. The agreement also establishes mandatory regularly scheduled AI meetings with producers, including discussion of methods to track digital replica use.
SAG-AFTRA deployed AI protections in its Television Animation Agreement, ratified in March 2024, as the first SAG-AFTRA animation voiceover contract to include protections against AI misuse. The agreement requires consent when an AI system is prompted with a performer's name, and mandates notice and bargaining whenever any synthetic voice — not just human character voices — is created via generative AI.
SAG-AFTRA deployed the Dynamic AI Audio Commercials Waiver in June 2024, setting contract terms for how advertisers may use AI to create personalized, dynamically customized audio ads using digital voice replicas of union members. The waiver is available only to signatories of the SAG-AFTRA Audio Commercials Contract and requires the performer's informed consent at each stage.
SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to create and license AI-generated digital replicas of their voices for use in video game development and other interactive media through a partnership agreement with Replica Studios, announced in January 2024. Participation is voluntary and requires the performer's informed consent and minimum scale compensation for each use.
SAG-AFTRA deployed contractual rules in its 2023 TV/Theatrical Agreement governing how AI-generated digital replicas and synthetic performers of union members may be created and used in film and television production. Producers must obtain informed consent and pay compensation to any performer whose voice or likeness is digitally replicated, and must notify the union before using wholly AI-generated synthetic performers.
SAG-AFTRA deployed AI guardrails in its Sound Recording Code, ratified in April 2024, requiring that record companies obtain clear and conspicuous consent from artists — with minimum compensation and specific disclosed details of use — before releasing any sound recording that uses a digital replication of an artist's voice. The terms also limit the definition of 'artist' to humans only.
SAG-AFTRA deployed AI protections in its 2025 Interactive Media Agreement, ratified in July 2025, which requires consent and disclosure for AI digital replica use and allows performers to suspend consent for the generation of new AI material during a strike. The agreement ended an 11-month video game strike.
SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to contribute their voices to the training of a foundational AI voice model being built by Ethovox, under an agreement signed in October 2024 that requires informed consent and provides session fees plus ongoing revenue sharing. The foundational model itself is not user-facing and individual voices will not be identifiable in its output.
SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to license AI-generated digital voice replicas for use in digital audio advertisements through a partnership agreement with Narrativ, announced in August 2024. Members who opt in can set their own rates (above union minimums), specify ad preferences, and must approve each individual use of their digital voice replica.
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SAG-AFTRA deployed the Dynamic AI Audio Commercials Waiver in June 2024, setting contract terms for how advertisers may use AI to create personalized, dynamically customized audio ads using digital voice replicas of union members. The waiver is available only to signatories of the SAG-AFTRA Audio Commercials Contract and requires the performer's informed consent at each stage.
The Dynamic AI Audio Commercials Waiver, debuted in June 2024, covers AI-generated audio commercials that customize content at the moment of delivery to reflect a listener's personal context — such as time of day, location, or weather. For example, an ad might switch between 'good morning' and 'good evening' depending on when it reaches the listener. The waiver requires producers to obtain prior written consent before creating a performer's digital voice replica, and additional consent before using the replica in any specific ad. Performers receive a session fee for each commercial created, plus an additional 50% session fee for the creation of customized elements dynamically inserted into the ad. The waiver is available only to signatories of the Audio Commercials Contract.
SAG-AFTRA offers its members the option to create and license AI-generated digital replicas of their voices for use in video game development and other interactive media through a partnership agreement with Replica Studios, announced in January 2024. Participation is voluntary and requires the performer's informed consent and minimum scale compensation for each use.
Announced at CES in January 2024, the agreement between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios — an AI voice technology company — allows union members who choose to participate to have their voices recorded and turned into digital voice replicas. These replicas can then be licensed to AAA video game studios and other interactive media producers for use from pre-production through final release. The contract sets minimum compensation rates for the creation of the replica and for each use in a video game project, and guarantees the performer the right to opt out of continued use in new works. The agreement is separate from the broader Interactive Media Agreement negotiations and is a standalone opt-in contract.