Hollywood Studios Sign First AI Content Deal — SAG-AFTRA Responds

What the Agreement Actually Allows

The Framework Agreement, signed March 5 2026, is a carefully negotiated compromise — not a blank check for AI-generated content. Permitted uses include: AI-generated background extras (crowd scenes, establishing shots) where hiring hundreds of actors is economically prohibitive; AI voice synthesis for ADR (automated dialogue replacement) when an actor is unavailable and consents; AI de-aging for historical recreations of real events; and AI-generated stunts and dangerous action sequences where human safety is a concern. All permitted uses require session fees paid at the SAG-AFTRA minimum day rate, plus a 3% residual for every subsequent use of that AI-generated content.

Explicitly Prohibited AI Uses Under the Agreement

• AI replacement of any speaking role without explicit written consent and additional compensation
• Creating AI versions of deceased actors without consent from their estate
• AI replication of an actor's likeness for promotional content without a separate deal
• Using AI to generate dialogue for a character in the actor's voice without per-line approval
• Training AI models on an actor's performance data without written authorization
• AI deepfakes for any purpose, in any context, without consent

The Technology Behind the Deal: Which AI Tools Are Involved

The agreement specifically identifies three approved AI vendor categories: Generative video platforms (Runway, Sora, Pika), AI voice synthesis providers (ElevenLabs, Resemble AI, and proprietary studio tools), and AI face/body compositing systems (primarily proprietary tools from studios' internal VFX pipelines). Vendors must comply with an 'approved vendor' certification process managed jointly by SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Unapproved AI tools cannot be used in any production covered by the agreement.