SAG-AFTRA Alleges Unfair Labor Practice Over AI-Powered Darth Vader in Fortnite

The SAG-AFTRA union, representing 160,000 media professionals, has lodged a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Llama Productions and Epic Games for utilizing AI to portray Darth Vader in Fortnite. While SAG-AFTRA supports artists' rights to control digital replicas, it argues that Epic Games did so without prior notice or negotiation. The union welcomes new technologies that allow new generations to enjoy renowned roles, but it must protect its right to negotiate terms and conditions for the use of AI-generated voices that replace human performers. The complaint alleges that Llama Productions, Fortnite's signatory company, replaced human performers with AI technology without providing notice or negotiating terms. SAG-AFTRA had previously voted to strike due to disagreements over AI technologies and has since issued new agreements for members to work with students and game jams, as well as a comprehensive AI proposal in response to the video game employers' offer.