SAG-AFTRA Calls Out Synthetic Performers: A Controversial Threat to Actors’ Rights
The entertainment industry is on the edge of a major ethical debate as SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) raises alarms about the emergence of what they term “synthetic performers.” According to the union, these artificial characters, crafted by advanced computer programs, pose a significant threat to actors’ livelihoods as they are generated using the work of countless performers—without their permission or any form of compensation. The concept of a synthetic performer presents a troubling picture for both established and aspiring actors. What is at stake? With machine learning algorithms capable of analyzing vast datasets












