Equity welcomes improved offer on AI protections in film and TV negotiations

AI protections for performers could be closer to becoming reality. Performers union Equity has received an improved offer from the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT). This has come following threats of industrial action. Artificial intelligence has been a sticking point, with actor Harriet Walter speaking of the need to portray “living life as a human being”.

Securing AI protections

PACT is the trade body representing producers covering the UK. Its negotiators met the deadline of 19 January late in the day by, sending a newly worded proposal. This included improvements in relation to AI protections which had been in dispute. Following a meeting on 20 January, both sides have agreed to enter a further period of negotiation in good faith.

Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming said:

Equity members should be in no doubt that it is their support and determination to secure AI protections which led to this improved offer.

Last month’s ballot result showed that an overwhelming majority of performers are prepared to refuse scanning on set, and that focused the minds of producers leading to this improved offer. It doesn’t cover everything we’ve asked for, and the coming weeks will be instrumental in securing the protections performers need in the age of AI and scanning on set.

A constructive meeting took place with PACT where we discussed the revised offer and further improvements we are seeking. Given the progress being made, we will enter into further negotiations with PACT on AI, as well as royalties and residuals, pay, self-tapes and fairer contracts to secure the best possible deal.

However, if we decide this offer is not good enough, and PACT refuse to give the protections that are needed, we are prepared to move to a statutory ballot of members with the intention to undertake industrial action on upcoming productions.

In December 2025, Equity held an indicative ballot of over 7,000 performers to establish whether members would be willing to take industrial action (specifically refusing digital scanning on set) in order to secure stronger AI protections in the PACT negotiations. The result was a resounding 99% YES from 75% of members working in film and TV.

These long-running negotiations cover the Equity-PACT agreement which underpins the terms and conditions of the vast majority of UK film and TV work for performers, including actors, stunt artists, singers and dancers. Equity is seeking AI protections for the first time as the technology and its use grows rapidly.

Featured image via Equity / Mark Thomas