In a major victory for the entertainment industry, the SAG-AFTRA union has secured crucial protections against the misuse of AI technology in music. Under a new agreement with major record labels, SAG-AFTRA won landmark provisions to safeguard its members.
Everything you need to know:
✓ SAG-AFTRA negotiates new deal to safeguard members from AI music cloning
✓ Consent and compensation required for use of AI replicas of artists’ voices
✓ Terms like ‘artist’ and ‘singer’ now reserved exclusively for human performers
Artists vs. AI: SAG-AFTRA’s deal protects human talent from digital clones
The deal mandates that digital replicas of member artists must receive “clear and conspicuous” consent before release. It also requires minimum compensation and transparency around the use of AI-generated sound. Retroactively covering 2021-2026, the union’s win includes increased salary minimums, improved health/retirement benefits, and a higher percentage of streaming royalties.
“This agreement ensures our members are protected,” said SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. The union firmly believes that while technology can enhance creativity, “the essence of music must always be rooted in genuine human expression.”
Preserving the Human Essence
This sentiment reflects the industry’s struggle with AI-generated songs that replicate artists’ voices without consent. To address this, the new contract restricts terms like ‘artist’ and ‘singer’ to only apply to human performers.
This landmark deal sets a precedent for responsible AI integration, preserving the human element in music. As the entertainment landscape evolves, SAG-AFTRA’s win demonstrates the power of collective bargaining to safeguard members’ rights and livelihoods.
Importantly, the new contract includes retroactive provisions covering 2021-2026. This means the protections will apply not just to future uses of AI, but also to past instances where member artists’ voices may have been exploited.
The increased salary minimums, improved benefits, and higher streaming royalties are significant wins. These enhancements will help ensure human artists are fairly rewarded, even as AI technology advances.
SAG-AFTRA Deal: Consent and Compensation
Beyond the financial aspects, the requirement for “clear and conspicuous” consent before using AI-generated replicas is a crucial safeguard. This provision puts power back in the hands of performers, allowing them to control how their artistic identities are used.
The battle over AI’s encroachment is far from over, but this agreement represents a major victory. By insisting the “essence of music must be rooted in genuine human expression,” SAG-AFTRA has set an important precedent.
As AI evolves, robust protections like those secured by SAG-AFTRA will become increasingly vital. This landmark deal serves as a model for how unions and industry can work together to ensure technology enhances, not replaces, human artistry.
