SAG-AFTRA sparks outrage over use of AI imagery to promote upcoming tech summit

SAG-AFTRA’s use of an AI image to promote the upcoming Labor Innovation and Technology Summit has drawn the ire of at least one celebrity artist who believes it has taken away people’s jobs.

The image shows a woman staring into the face of an AI robot, upsetting Karla Ortiz, whose credits include Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame And Avengers: Infinite War. Ortiz noted in a tweet that “other visual unions and locals will negotiate next year.” It weakens their efforts.”

The argument is that illustration interferes with the work of a graphic artist and a union model.

A SAG spokesperson declined to comment, but an insider pointed out that the Adobe stock image was created by human artists using AI tools; It was not generated by AI. It was chosen by in-house designers and an art director. The image remains on the union’s website.

The use of AI has been a central part of contract negotiations for both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Both guilds outlined protections for the use of AI in their recent contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, but actors like Justine Bateman felt the actors’ union didn’t go far enough.

“I think generative AI is one of the worst ideas we’ve ever had in this society,” Bateman told Deadline in November.

The summit, scheduled for January 9-10 in Las Vegas, promises to “bring together leaders from across the labor movement, entertainment and technology sectors to discuss what innovation means for the future of workers.” The Summit brings working people into Conversations about innovation and technological change, focusing on worker interests, policies and programs that ensure working people thrive alongside innovation. From information and education to employer-employer collaboration and training initiatives, the summit shines a light on the people driving change and progress.”