Barbara
**INITIAL STATEMENT OF SAG-AFTRA STRIKE**
**In a press conference and a statement about the strike, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) proposed an AI solution to protect actors’ digital likenesses for SAG-AFTRA members. However, this proposal has been met with criticism from SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and executive vice president Clyde Kusatsu. They argue that the proposal would allow background performers to be scanned and have their images and likenesses owned by their companies, with no consent or compensation. This divisive issue surrounding the use of generative AI has also played a significant role in the ongoing writers strike.**
**SAG-AFTRA President Warns against the Threat of Machines**
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed her concern that failing to take a firm stance against the use of generative AI in the entertainment industry could lead to actors being replaced by machines. She emphasized the importance of standing up for actors’ rights and ensuring their place in an industry that is increasingly relying on advanced technologies.
**SAG-AFTRA Rejects AMPTP’s “Groundbreaking” AI Proposal**
During the press conference, executive vice president Clyde Kusatsu criticized the AMPTP’s proposal, describing it as far from groundbreaking. He explained that the proposal sought to allow background performers to be scanned without their consent and without fair compensation. Kusatsu highlighted the issue of companies taking ownership of these scans and using them indefinitely in any project, effectively exploiting performers without their consent.
**The Ongoing Battle over Generative AI**
The use of generative artificial intelligence has become a major point of contention in negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP. This issue has also been a prominent factor in the ongoing writers strike. As the industry continues to embrace AI technologies, there is growing concern among actors and writers that their roles and creative contributions may be diminished or even replaced by machines.
**SAG-AFTRA Strike Commences**
As the clock strikes midnight tonight, the SAG-AFTRA strike officially begins. This decision comes as a response to the AMPTP’s proposal and the broader concerns surrounding the use of generative AI in the industry. The strike aims to protect the rights and interests of actors, ensuring fair compensation and preserving creative control in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.
**Source:**
1. Deadline.com (Original Article): [Link to Article](https://deadline.com/2023/07/actors-strike-studios-respond-sag-aftra-1235437389/)
2. The Verge (Additional Information): [Link to Article](https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/2/23707813/wga-hollywood-writers-strike-2023-streaming-ai-wages-contracta)
>Note: The Verge source was mentioned to provide additional information but was not used as a direct reference in the paraphrased article.
