Fran Drescher Opposes AI Fraud as Congress Backs No Fakes Act

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, emphasized the importance of consulting major stakeholders before introducing new legislation aimed at regulating deepfake technology. He noted that the Motion Picture Association (MPA) had previously expressed concerns about the bill's wording, particularly regarding First Amendment rights and creative freedoms. The proposed legislation seeks to hold individuals and companies accountable for creating or sharing unauthorized digital replicas of individuals in audiovisual works, including those generated by artificial intelligence. Crabtree-Ireland highlighted the broad support for the bill, which includes backing from the MPA, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and OpenAI. He underscored the urgency of enacting this legislation, as the proliferation of deepfakes poses significant challenges not only to SAG-AFTRA members but to the entertainment industry as a whole. The bill aims to address the emerging market for unauthorized digital replicas, which threatens the livelihoods of performers. Despite recent agreements following last year’s strikes, SAG-AFTRA continues to grapple with the implications of AI in various entertainment sectors. The union is currently on strike for video game performers, citing ongoing negotiations that have yet to yield clear protections against AI exploitation. Crabtree-Ireland reflected on the previous strike, criticizing companies for their reluctance to negotiate effectively, which prolonged the disruption in Hollywood. He characterized the current struggle as an "existential battle" for performers, stressing the need for enforceable agreements to safeguard their rights in an evolving digital landscape.