Actors vote to refuse digital scanning on set as concerns grow over AI | Ents & Arts News

Actors have voted overwhelmingly to refuse digital scanning on set in a bid to secure adequate AI protections.

Equity – the UK’s largest acting union – announced the results of an indicative industrial action ballot on Thursday.

It’s the first time such a large section of Equity’s membership – over 7,000 performers working across TV and film – has been balloted, and is a big moment for the UK’s film and TV industry.

As an indicative ballot, it’s not binding, nor would it legally cover members who refuse to be digitally scanned on set.

But the vote could act as a warning shot to the industry, showing the level of support the union has for action, short of a strike.

The vote follows unrest in the US in 2023, when members of Equity’s sister union, SAG-AFTRA, went on strike for four months over issues including artificial intelligence protections.

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