Harriet Walter, Hugh Bonneville, Adrian Lester back Equity AI campaign

High-profile actors have urged fellow Equity trade union members to vote ‘Yes’ in a ballot on protecting performers’ AI rights.

Harriet Walter, Hugh Bonneville and Adrian Lester are among thousands of performers backing Equity’s campaign. It aims to enshrine artificial intelligence protections for performers into union agreements.

The ballot opened on Thursday 4 December and will close this Thursday 18 December at 12pm. Equity will announce the results the same day at its headquarters in London’s West End.

Equity action

It’s an indicative ballot to show whether Equity’s members who work in film and TV would refuse digital scanning on set to secure AI protections. This is a form of industrial action called ‘action short of strike’.

This is the first time this whole group of members working across film and TV has voted on industrial action. It  shows the far-reaching impact of AI on performers across the industry.

The performing arts and entertainment trade union is currently negotiating the agreements it holds with Pact. Pact is the trade body representing the majority of producers and production companies in the UK.

The Equity agreements will set the minimum standards for pay, terms and conditions for actors, stunt performers and dancers working in film and TV.

Harriet Walter said:

The whole point about any artistic endeavour is that it is a reaching out from a human creator to connect with other humans and share the experience of living life as a human being.

AI may be able to write novels, paint pictures and even simulate human actors but none of that can have any meaning beyond its own cleverness.

We can admire the technology, but it is ultimately meaningless and damaging.

Nothing can replace the experience of watching living sentient actors making thoughtful choices from moment to moment in response to other actors doing the same. That’s what turns us on.

Hugh Bonneville added:

I fully support the principle of protecting actors’ identities in the world of AI.

Of course technology can enhance TV and film but it should never be used to replace the performers who create the characters in the stories we tell.

The professionalism of actors should be respected and acknowledged. Our likenesses and our voices are unique and must be valued accordingly, not exploited for the benefit of others without license or consent.

Achieving AI protections in our contracts is vital. I endorse Equity’s efforts and I urge my professional colleagues to vote Yes in this crucial ballot. Together we can help secure the protections we deserve.

And Adrian Lester was adamant:

I don’t want AI carrying out my art for me, writing, directing or acting.

AI is a tool used by creatives and should be for laundry, dishes and admin in order to leave us free as artists to create authentic human performances.

I’ve worked as an actor on film and TV sets for decades and I know it can be hard for young and early career performers to question being digitally scanned on set – that’s why it’s so important to get minimum protections on AI for everyone in our contracts and agreements.

I’m fully behind Equity’s campaign to win AI protections for performers and I’ve voted yes in this ballot. Please make sure you use your vote. Make your voice heard.

Featured image via Equity