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- The use of AI-generated images without the consent of the actors whose likeness the image bears is a matter of grave concern for unions worldwide.
- The South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) started an online petition seeking protection over digital likeness capture and exploitation.
- News24 spoke to South African actors about this on the red carpet at the 17th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
- For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.
What once seemed like a far-off dystopian fiction is fast becoming a reality as digital technology enters several industries. Countless sectors - including those responsible for developing the technology - have raised concerns. The South African entertainment industry has become the latest group to add its voice to the cause.
In September, the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) started an online petition seeking protection over digital likeness capture and exploitation.
The organisation fears that South African performers will lose control over their identities if digital technology is employed in the production process before the rights of actors are formally recorded and protected by law.
According to a previous report by News24, the concern about digital technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the sticking points for SAG-AFTRA, the union representing currently striking actors in America. The union predicts artificial intelligence (AI) could wreak havoc if it could create digital versions of actors.
In early October, Actor Tom Hanks warned fans about ads featuring imposters generated by artificial intelligence.
"Beware," Hanks said in an Instagram post that evidently showed a copy of an unauthorised digital version of him.
"There is a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it."
READ MORE | 'Don't be fooled by these AI videos': Hollywood stars warn of digital imposters
CBS Mornings talk show co-host Gayle King also issued a similar warning.
News24 spoke to South African actors about this on the red carpet at the 17th annual South African Film and Television Awards. This is what they had to say:
"I definitely think everyone should own their image, and every time it needs to be used, permission needs to be asked. We work very hard on our images and we work very hard on our craft. And I believe it needs to be respected and as much as you'd respect any other profession." - Nox Dlamini
"We are supposed to get paid as per the work that we do, so to think that there's a potential for our work to be duplicated without our permission, without us getting paid for the work that we do, is mind-boggling to me. I'm hoping that it's not a real thing but we have SAGA and I've seen the work that they do and I hope we can move forward in making sure that that does not happen." - Thando Thabethe.
"I completely support the strike and the fact that we have the right to own our own image and not be exploited. We deserve so many royalties that are not coming our way. I support it, I hear there's some headway being made and I hope that that's the case because we can't afford to have any more hiccups in this industry." - Craig Urbani.
"It's something that is very important. You can't have your image and your likeness being used willy-nilly everywhere while you're languishing in unemployment and boredom at home." - Samela Tyelbooi.
READ MORE | All the winners at 2023's 17th Saftas
