SAG-AFTRA

The Digital Replica Rules Every Commercial Actor Needs to Know

SAG-AFTRA's 2025 commercials contracts delivered groundbreaking A.I. provisions, but what do they actually mean for you? Tracy Hyman, Executive Director of Commercials Contracts, and actor and negotiating committee member Nicole Cyrille break down exactly how digital replicas and synthetic performances work, when you need to give consent, how you get paid and what guardrails are in place to protect you. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Why Unions Need to be Part of the A.I. Conversation

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland sits down with journalist Matt Belloni from Puck at CES in Las Vegas for a no-holds-barred conversation about the future of A.I. and entertainment. Matt asks the tough questions: Why should A.I. companies care what unions think? How is artificial intelligence reshaping creative work? What happens if there's another strike? Duncan breaks down what SAG-AFTRA won in 2023, what's at stake in the upcoming February negotiations, and why the distinction between humans and A.I. algorithms really matters. They tackle studio deals with OpenAI, deepfakes, synthetic performances, and whether the unions are playing defense or leading the charge. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Legendary Songwriter Diane Warren On Her Superpower

Diane Warren is one of the most successful and prolific songwriters in music history — and a proud SAG-AFTRA member. Her catalog includes many of the biggest pop songs of the past several decades. In this episode, she talks about the relentless drive behind her career, her new documentary and the early challenges that shaped her voice as a writer. Diane shares how she "casts" artists to bring her songs to life and why no form of A.I. can match the soul behind a truly human song. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

What SAG-AFTRA Learned at the International Federation of Actors Congress

SAG-AFTRA's top three national officers — President Sean Astin, Executive Vice President Linda Powell and Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd — sit down together with National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland during the 23rd International Federation of Actors (FIA) Congress in Birmingham, England last month. They discuss the power of global solidarity, the challenges facing performers across borders, and how issues like A.I., self-tapes, DEI, and workplace safety are shaping the next era of the industry. They also reflect on their paths to leadership and the unexpected moments that come with guiding a union of this size and influence. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

James Cameron Wants to Protect Actors in the Age of A.I. Part 2

In the first part of our interview with legendary director James Cameron, he explained his actor-driven approach to performance capture and why human nuance is still at the core of great storytelling. In this second half, Cameron goes deeper into the promises and risks of A.I., where he believes the line sits between helpful innovation and harmful replacement. He talks about what Hollywood must stand guard over as these tools accelerate. And yes, he talks about Skynet and why The Terminator feels a lot less hypothetical today than it did in 1984. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.