Recently, the legislative process in California has been particularly noteworthy, with the state Senate passing a new bill that requires explicit consent from the estates of deceased performers before creating artificial intelligence replicas of them.
This bill, known as AB1836, will be sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature, and it is expected that he will support this bill, which has the backing of organizations such as SAG-AFTRA. The law will not only apply to films but also cover various digital reproduction methods such as television shows, video games, audiobooks, and sound recordings.
Image Source Note: The image was generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service Midjourney
In other words, whether it's static images, voice cloning, or even full characters created after an actor's death, producers need to obtain consent from the deceased's estate or legal representatives. The introduction of this bill comes shortly after the Senate passed another related bill, AB2602.
The latter primarily focuses on living performers, with stricter regulations regarding their consent for AI replicas. The introduction of these two bills reflects an increasing emphasis on regulating the impact of AI in the entertainment industry.
SAG-AFTRA stated, "For producers hoping to use digital replicas of deceased performers in films, television shows, and more, the California Senate has made a clear rejection." This is also part of the union's efforts to enhance performer protection in the age of artificial intelligence.
It is worth noting that before this bill officially takes effect, the union has already partnered with AI startup Narrativ to establish a new online marketplace where actors can license their voice AI clones and control the scope and manner of their use.
Additionally, AI voice development company ElevenLabs has also reached agreements with the estates of several deceased Hollywood stars to legally use their voices for new AI-driven performances.
As AI technology advances, SAG-AFTRA has incorporated AI protection into new television and film contract templates over the past year. These two bills may not only impact Hollywood; as California is a significant hub for the entertainment and tech industries, it could serve as a template for similar regulations in other states and countries.
Key Points:
1. 📜 California has legislated AB1836, requiring consent from the estates of deceased performers for AI replicas.
2. 🎬 SAG-AFTRA supports the new bill, aiming to enhance performer protection in the age of AI.
3. 🤝 Relevant collaborations have begun, allowing actors to license their voice AI clones and maintain control over their use.