SAG-AFTRA Editor’s Note: Pictured above, California Governor Gavin Newsom (on the left) and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher (on the right), back row: SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher (on the left) and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland (on the right)  (SAG-AFTRA Photo)

(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) - California Governor Gavin Newsom visited the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ (SAG-AFTRA) Los Angeles Headquarters where he signed into law critical legislation that will give individuals more agency over the use of their voice and likeness.

At a meeting convened at SAG-AFTRA Plaza with SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher and National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Newsom signed AB 2602 and AB1836.

AB 2602 requires informed consent by Performers prior to use of their digital replicas and AB 1836 provides updated protections to the voice and likeness rights of deceased Performers.

SAG-AFTRA President Drescher said: “It is a momentous day for SAG-AFTRA Members and everyone else, because the AI (Artificial Intelligence) protections we fought so hard for last year are now expanded upon by California Law thanks to the Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom.  They say as California goes, so goes the Nation!  AI poses a threat not just to performers in the Entertainment Industry, but to Workers in all fields, in all industries everywhere.  No technology should be introduced into society without extreme caution and careful consideration of its long-term impact on humanity and the natural world.  We are so grateful to Governor Newsom for recognizing that performers matter and their contributions have value.”
  
The two Bills mandate new protections against the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology: 
 
AB 1836 - Prohibits the use of a deceased person’s voice or likeness in digital replicas without the prior consent of their estate.  The Bill updates current law and removes existing exemptions for film, TV, audio-visual works and more when it comes to digital replication. 
 
AB 2602 - Prohibits contractual provisions that would allow for the use of a digital replica of an individual's voice or likeness in place of the individual's actual services, unless the provision includes a reasonably specific description of the intended uses of the digital replica and the individual was represented by legal counsel or a Labor Union.  This Bill is the first of its kind in the United States.

SAG-AFTRA represents 160,000 Actors, Announcers, Broadcast Journalists, Dancers, DJs, News Writers, News Editors, Program Hosts, Puppeteers, Recording Artists, Singers, Stunt Performers, Voiceover Artists and other Entertainment and Media Professionals.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Gov. Newsom Signs Union-Championed A.I. Bills at SAG-AFTRA Plaza | SAG-AFTRA (sagaftra.org)