Recently, the UK performing arts union "Equity" launched a vote urging actors to refuse digital scanning on set to protect their likenesses from AI misuse. The voting results showed that 98% of participants supported this decision, highlighting actors' strong opposition to the use of AI technology in the arts. Equity's general secretary Paul Fleming said: "AI is a game-changing challenge. This is the first time our film and television members have been willing to take industrial action under the Equity union."

This vote was an indicative one, aimed at demonstrating the strong interest of members in this issue, with over 7,000 members participating and a voting rate of 75%. However, actors who refuse scanning will not receive legal protection. Equity stated that it will write to Pact, a trade body representing most producers and production companies, to request new minimum wage standards and working conditions for actors during film and television work.

In recent years, as AI becomes increasingly common in the creative industry, issues regarding actors' rights have attracted widespread attention. Many well-known actors, such as Adrian Lester, Hugh Bonneville, and Harriet Walter, have publicly supported the union's actions, calling for AI-related protections to be included in union agreements. Bonneville pointed out that actors' images and voices should not be exploited without permission, while Lester said that newcomers to the industry often find it difficult to resist body scanning.

Actress Olivia Williams also mentioned in an interview that actors are often forced to undergo body scans on set but have no say in how the data is used afterward. She emphasized that actors should have the same level of control over data obtained through scanning as they do over nude scenes. Some contracts even include clauses allowing producers to use performers' likenesses unrestrictedly on "any existing or future platform."

In 2023, the issue of AI usage became central to the Hollywood writers' strike. Writers and actors warned that without regulation, this technology could completely reshape the industry landscape and affect their roles.

Key Points:

🎭 99% of actors support refusing digital scanning to protect their likeness.

📝 The union plans to negotiate with the producers' association to establish minimum wage and working condition standards.

🤖 AI technology has raised concerns about actors' rights and has become a key issue in industry transformation.