As part of its efforts to develop industry standards around stakeholder protection through artificial intelligence, SAG-AFTRA announced Monday an agreement with AI company Ethovox as part of the creation of a “ fundamental vocal model” which serves as the basis for digital replicas.
As part of the deal with Ethovox, founded by video game actor Cissy Jones, SAG-AFTRA members who lend their voices to the development of the model will receive both session fees and ongoing revenue sharing throughout the lifespan of the founding model.
Additionally, no actor will have their voice recognizably reproduced by the model, as this requires many voice samples to build a base.
The Ethovox model will not be user-facing and the voices included in the model will not be identifiable in any of the speech generated.
“Ethovox is the only voice AI company owned and operated by voice actors, and we are pleased to partner with SAG-AFTRA to create a foundational voice AI model that prioritizes the interests of voice actors,” he said. Jones said in a statement. “AI should be a choice. This is why we reached out to the voice acting community throughout this process. Ethovox will continue to do this by demonstrating that artists can and should be compensated for their contribution to the ethical development of AI while retaining consent and control over their voice data.
The Ethovox deal joins those made by SAG-AFTRA with other AI companies, including Narrativ, which will allow members to license their digital voice replica for use in audio advertisements, and the voice company of Replica Studios video games.
Although the agreements were met with some resistance from SAG-AFTRA members who view any use of AI as a threat to their livelihoods, National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stressed the importance of Establish a standard for the ethical use of AI to counter AI exploitation. performances and likenesses of actors without their consent or compensation.
“What will protect voice actors’ livelihoods in the AI era is more contractual protection, not less,” Crabtree-Ireland said. “That’s why SAG-AFTRA will continue to recognize AI companies, like Ethovox, that agree to our union’s AI guidelines. Not everyone will want to work with an AI company, and that’s understandable. But for those who intend to exploit the opportunities offered by AI, it is important that agreements require companies to obtain informed consent and provide fair compensation. Without informed consent and fair compensation, this new era will become a “Wild West” of AI misuse and exploitation.”
Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA plans a new round of negotiations with video game companies signed by the Interactive Media Agreement, seeking to reach an agreement after a strike last July over what the union considers as inadequate the protections proposed in terms of AI.
