Equity Urges Pact for AI Protections in UK Acting Industry

British Actors Demand AI Protections in Open Letter to Pact

Thousands of UK actors have been “digitally scanned on set without their informed consent,” according to an open letter from the actors' union Equity, urging progress on artificial intelligence (AI). The letter, published last week, has already garnered signatures from notable actors such as Emma D’Arcy, Tamsin Greig, Alan Davies, Nicola Walker, and Wilf Scolding.

Lack of Transparency in Data Use

“We also have no transparency around how our performances, likeness, and personal data are being recorded, stored, and processed within the context of the production and beyond,” Equity wrote in the letter. The open letter has amassed nearly 1,500 signatures, highlighting the growing concern among actors.

Negotiations Stall on AI Safeguards

The letter comes a day before Equity and Pact, the producer trade body, are due to meet for another round of negotiations on new collective agreements. These negotiations have been ongoing for about 12 months, with AI safeguards proving to be a significant sticking point. Equity has been increasing the pressure, with General Secretary Paul Fleming stating that the union is “industrial action ready” if negotiations continue to fail.

Threats of Legal Action

Equity has also threatened court action against the BBC, ITV, Disney, and Pact if members' rights are breached in the training of AI models. “We are writing ahead of your negotiation meeting with Equity Officials on 25 June to express concern at the lack of progress on securing AI protections for performers,” Equity wrote in the open letter. “We believe this is unacceptable and urge Pact to prioritize this crucial area affecting our industry and livelihoods.” Pact declined to comment on the matter.

U.S. SAG-AFTRA Contracts as Blueprint

Using the new U.S. SAG-AFTRA contracts as a partial blueprint, Equity’s claim with Pact is tailored to the implications of generative AI for different categories of actors, including dubbing and supporting artists. Equity has put forward a “constructive proposal” including “important provisions on AI training,” which the union has made clear is a red line in these negotiations.

Stakes for the British Film and TV Industry

The collective agreements being negotiated govern the vast majority of British TV shows and indie movies. Adding to the confusion, the BBC and ITV’s separate agreements with Equity failed to include artificial intelligence safeguards as the broadcasters did not want to include them until the Equity-Pact negotiations are resolved. The broadcasters have insisted that “discussion around AI provisions remains firmly on the table.”

Government Consideration of AI Legislation

The move comes as the UK government considers legislation that would require copyright holders to opt-out from having their material used for training generative AI models. A BFI report earlier this month revealed that scripts from more than 130,000 films and TV shows have been used to train such models.

Clear Takeaway

As negotiations continue, the stakes are high for both actors and producers. Equity’s demand for clear AI protections is a critical step toward ensuring the rights and data of performers are respected in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital media and entertainment.