SAG-AFTRA Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ Seedance 2.0 AI Videos: ‘Disregards Law, Ethics’
SAG-AFTRA, alongside the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and other industry voices, has strongly condemned ByteDance’s latest AI video generator, Seedance 2.0. The actors’ union claims that this new model “disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent.”
Statement from SAG-AFTRA
A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA stated, “The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood.” They emphasized that responsible AI development demands accountability, which they find lacking in Seedance 2.0.
Industry Backlash
The generative AI model released by ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, has sparked significant industry dissent. Videos infringing upon “The Lord of the Rings” and featuring the likenesses of major Hollywood stars such as Will Smith, Brad Pitt, and Tom Cruise have already begun circulating on social media.
MPA’s Position
The MPA reacted strongly to a specific AI-generated fight scene between Pitt and Cruise, criticizing ByteDance for “disregarding copyright laws” and calling for an immediate cessation of these infringing activities. Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the MPA, remarked, “In a single day, the Chinese AI service Seedance 2.0 has engaged in unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.”
Concerns from Human Artistry Campaign
In a separate statement, the Human Artistry Campaign, an AI-regulation advocacy group, labeled the launch of Seedance 2.0 as “an attack on every creator around the world.” They criticized the platform for “stealing human creators’ work” and emphasized that such actions threaten cultural integrity. “These unauthorized deepfakes and voice clones of actors violate personal autonomy and should raise alarm,” they added.
Context of SAG-AFTRA’s Negotiations
The uproar surrounding Seedance 2.0 coincides with SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). As the current contract nears its expiration at the end of June, protections and regulations surrounding AI in Hollywood remain a top priority for union leadership.
In summary, the introduction of Seedance 2.0 has not only ignited discussions about the ethical implications of AI in content creation but also highlighted the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to protect artists’ rights in an evolving digital landscape.
