Equity calls on entertainment bosses for protections in AI training

Trade union Equity has called for an urgent conversation over the use of artificial intelligence in the performing arts.

In an open letter sent to entertainment bosses, including Audible, BBC, Disney, ITV, PACT and video games trade body UKIE, Equity outlined concerns about unlawful uses of recorded content for AI training and creating digital replicas.

It invited the letter’s recipients to work with the union to establish fair and legally compliant licensing frameworks for AI and vowed to robustly defend its members, including using legal action if necessary.

Equity said it is currently negotiating with engagers, including some of those addressed in the letter, over AI protections across film and TV contracts, pay, and other terms and conditions. 

The union added that it is also speaking directly with production companies that engage with artists specifically for generative AI. 

Equity’s recorded media industrial official, Liam Budd, said the “industrial scale theft” of members’ data must end, and performers’ rights must be respected concerning AI use.

“We invite engagers across the audio and audio-visual industries to work constructively with us to establish fair and legally compliant licensing and data protection frameworks for AI,” Budd added.

“We’ve done this time and again and have robust and fair systems in place, including for royalty payments, so we know it can and must be achieved.”