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SAG-AFTRA Challenges Epic Games Over AI Darth Vader Voice in Fortnite

The actors' union alleges the use of AI to replicate James Earl Jones’s voice bypassed union negotiations and replaced union voice work without proper notice.

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Emperor Palpatine fires force lightning from his fingertips in Fortnite while a bunch of Fortnite guys look on.
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Overview

  • Epic Games introduced an AI-powered Darth Vader in Fortnite, using a voice based on the late James Earl Jones with approval from his estate.
  • SAG-AFTRA filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Epic’s subsidiary, Llama Productions, for bypassing union bargaining requirements in deploying the AI voice.
  • The union claims the AI voice replaced union-covered voice work without prior notice or negotiation, violating labor rights and collective bargaining agreements.
  • The AI feature faced initial moderation issues, with players prompting inappropriate language, leading Epic to implement a hotfix and stricter controls.
  • This dispute highlights broader tensions over generative AI in the entertainment industry, with SAG-AFTRA advocating for stronger AI protections during its ongoing interactive media strike.