California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill aimed at protecting actors and performers, preventing the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence to create their "digital replicas" without their consent. This was one of the key demands during the recent strike by the Screen Actors Guild of America.
In a statement, Gavin Newsom said, "As we venture into the unknown regarding how AI and digital media are transforming the entertainment industry, our guiding principle has always been protecting workers. This legislation ensures that the industry can continue to thrive while strengthening protections for workers and regulating how their likenesses can be used." The new law is set to take effect in 2025 and has received support from both the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
SAG-AFTRA responded, stating, "This is an important day for SAG-AFTRA members and everyone else, as the AI protections we fought for last year have now been expanded with the support of California law, thanks to the legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom." The new law also allows performers to withdraw from existing contracts if vague wording permits studios to freely use AI to digitally replicate their voices and likenesses, without requiring them to pay compensation. However, opponents such as the California Chamber of Commerce argue that these new laws may be difficult to enforce and could lead to lengthy legal disputes in the future.