Hollywood actors are currently on strike against big video game companies like Activision, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney. They are worried about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the gaming industry. This strike comes after a year and a half of talks between the companies and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra), which represents more than 2,500 video game performers. While they have made some agreements about pay and job safety, the issue of AI is still a major problem.

The performers are especially concerned that generative AI could be used to copy their voices and looks. This means studios could create video game characters without paying the actors fairly. Sag-Aftra has said that even though they have made progress on other issues, the companies haven’t clearly promised to protect the actors when it comes to AI. The union made it clear that they won’t agree to a contract that lets companies misuse AI at the expense of their members.

In response, the video game studios claim they have already made important changes to address the union’s worries. Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the companies, expressed disappointment when the union decided to stop negotiations. She said their offer includes important protections against AI misuse, requiring consent and fair pay for all performers involved in the Interactive Media Agreement, which covers voice and on-camera work for video games.

The Interactive Media Agreement has been around since before November 2022, when the last contract ended without any protections for AI. It has been extended month by month while talks continue. Last year, Sag-Aftra managed to secure big wins for TV and film actors, including $1 billion in new pay and benefits, along with protections against AI misuse. This strike lasted 118 days, making it the longest in the union’s 90-year history. The combined strikes of actors and writers have caused major disruptions in film and TV production, leading to an estimated loss of over $6.5 billion for California. The outcome of the current strike could have a big impact on the future of performers in both gaming and entertainment.

Original news source: Actors go on strike over video games AI threat (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Provide each group with key terms from the article (e.g., “strike,” “artificial intelligence,” “video game,” “union”). One student from each group will act out their word without speaking while their teammates guess the term.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article, such as “AI should be used in video games” or “Actors deserve more protection.” Have students walk around the room, asking their classmates for their opinions on each statement, and tally the results.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a whiteboard or large paper, write “Hollywood Actors’ Strike” in the center. Have students brainstorm related topics (e.g., AI, video game companies, actors’ rights) and draw a mind map, connecting their ideas to the central theme.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs, students will create catchy headlines for the article. They should focus on capturing the main ideas while making them engaging. Each pair will share their headlines with the class.

– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g., “strike,” “concerned,” “disruptions”). In pairs, students will take turns giving a synonym for each word without using the word itself. The other partner must guess the original word.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are Hollywood actors currently striking against in the gaming industry?

2. How many video game performers does the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) represent?

3. Why are performers worried about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games?

4. What has the union made clear about the kind of contract they will agree to regarding AI?

5. How did the video game studios respond to the concerns raised by the union?

6. What does the Interactive Media Agreement cover in terms of performers’ work?

7. What significant achievements did Sag-Aftra secure for TV and film actors last year?

8. How have the combined strikes of actors and writers affected the film and TV industry financially?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Hollywood actors are currently on strike against big video game companies like Activision, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney. They are worried about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the gaming industry. This strike comes after a year and a half of talks between the companies and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of (1)______ and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra), which represents more than 2,500 video game performers. While they have made some (2)______ about pay and job safety, the (3)______ of AI is still a (4)______ problem.

The performers are especially concerned that generative AI could be used to copy their voices and looks. This means studios could create video game characters without paying the (5)______ fairly. Sag-Aftra has said that even though they have made progress on other issues, the (6)______ haven’t clearly promised to protect the actors when it comes to AI. The union made it clear that they won’t (7)______ to a contract that lets companies misuse AI at the expense of their (8)______.

In response, the video game studios claim they have already made important changes to (9)______ the union’s (10)______. Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the companies, expressed disappointment when the union decided to stop negotiations. She said their offer includes (11)______ protections against AI misuse, requiring consent and fair pay for all performers involved in the Interactive (12)______ Agreement, which covers voice and on-camera work for video games.

The Interactive Media Agreement has been around since before November 2022, when the last contract ended without any protections for AI. It has been extended month by month while (13)______ continue. Last year, Sag-Aftra managed to secure big wins for TV and film actors, including $1 billion in new pay and benefits, along with protections against AI misuse. This (14)______ lasted 118 days, making it the longest in the union’s 90-year history. The combined strikes of actors and writers have caused major disruptions in film and TV production, leading to an estimated loss of over $6.5 billion for (15)______. The outcome of the (16)______ strike could have a big impact on the future of performers in both gaming and entertainment.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on the use of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry?

2. How would you feel if your voice or image could be copied without your permission?

3. Do you think actors should be worried about AI taking over their jobs? Why or why not?

4. Have you ever participated in a protest or strike for something you believe in? What was it about?

5. What is a fair way for video game companies to use AI without harming the actors?

6. Do you like playing video games that use realistic characters? Why or why not?

7. How would you feel if video game characters started looking and sounding like real actors without their consent?

8. Do you think unions are important for protecting workers’ rights? Why or why not?

9. What is a major concern you have about technology in your own life?

10. How would you react if you found out your favorite video game character was created using AI without the actor’s agreement?

11. Do you think companies should be held responsible for how they use AI? Why or why not?

12. What is your experience with video games that feature voice acting? Do you think it enhances the game?

13. How would you feel if you were an actor and your job was threatened by new technology?

14. Do you think the video game industry will change a lot in the next few years because of AI? Why or why not?

15. What is a potential benefit of using AI in video games that you can think of?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. strike
2. artificial intelligence
3. performers
4. generative
5. studios
6. contract
7. misuse
8. spokesperson
9. negotiations
10. consent
11. extended
12. disruptions
13. estimated
14. impact
15. entertainment

Meanings:
(A) Technology that allows machines to think and learn like humans
(B) Able to produce or create something new
(C) Interruptions or disturbances that stop something from continuing smoothly
(D) People who act, sing, or entertain others
(E) Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement
(F) A person who speaks on behalf of a group or company
(G) Using something in a wrong or harmful way
(H) Places where movies or games are made
(I) The effect or influence of one thing on another
(J) A situation where workers stop working to protest against something
(K) A written agreement between two or more parties
(L) Activities that provide amusement or enjoyment
(M) Permission or agreement to do something
(N) Roughly calculated or guessed
(O) Made longer in time or duration
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What are Hollywood actors currently striking against?
(a) Big video game companies
(b) Movie studios
(c) TV networks
(d) Streaming services

2. Which organization represents more than 2,500 video game performers?
(a) AFTRA
(b) Sag-Aftra
(c) SAG
(d) WGA

3. What major concern do the performers have regarding artificial intelligence (AI)?
(a) It could replace them entirely
(b) It could reduce their pay
(c) It could copy their voices and looks
(d) It could increase their workload

4. What did the video game studios claim to have made changes to?
(a) Increase video game prices
(b) Hire more actors
(c) Improve game graphics
(d) Address the union’s worries

5. What is the name of the agreement that covers voice and on-camera work for video games?
(a) Interactive Media Agreement
(b) Video Game Performance Agreement
(c) Actor’s Rights Agreement
(d) Entertainment Industry Agreement

6. How long did the previous strike last that was mentioned in the article?
(a) 90 days
(b) 150 days
(c) 60 days
(d) 118 days

7. What significant financial impact have the combined strikes of actors and writers caused?
(a) Over $1 billion loss for California
(b) Over $6.5 billion loss for California
(c) Over $10 billion loss for California
(d) Over $3 billion loss for California

8. What did Sag-Aftra secure for TV and film actors last year?
(a) $500 million in new pay and benefits
(b) $2 billion in new pay and benefits
(c) $1 billion in new pay and benefits
(d) $750 million in new pay and benefits

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Hollywood actors are on strike against major video game companies like Activision, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney.
2. The Interactive Media Agreement, which covers voice and on-camera work for video games, has been extended year by year since the last contract ended in November 2022.
3. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) represents less than 2,500 video game performers.
4. The video game studios claim they have made important changes to address the union’s concerns about AI.
5. Performers are content that generative AI could replicate their voices and appearances without fair compensation.
6. Despite there have been some agreements about pay and job safety, the issue of AI remains resolved.
7. The strike is mainly about concerns over how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the gaming industry.
8. The combined strikes of actors and writers have led to significant financial losses for California, estimated at over $6.5 billion.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why are Hollywood actors on strike against video game companies like Activision and Warner Bros?
2. What are the main concerns of the actors regarding the use of artificial intelligence in video games?
3. How has the Screen Actors Guild (Sag-Aftra) responded to the video game companies’ offers about AI?
4. What changes do the video game studios claim they have made to address the union’s concerns?
5. What impact have the strikes of actors and writers had on the film and TV industry in California?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are Hollywood actors currently striking against in the gaming industry?
Hollywood actors are currently striking against big video game companies over concerns about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the gaming industry.

2. How many video game performers does the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) represent?
Sag-Aftra represents more than 2,500 video game performers.

3. Why are performers worried about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video games?
Performers are worried that generative AI could be used to copy their voices and looks, allowing studios to create video game characters without paying them fairly.

4. What has the union made clear about the kind of contract they will agree to regarding AI?
The union has made it clear that they won’t agree to a contract that allows companies to misuse AI at the expense of their members.

5. How did the video game studios respond to the concerns raised by the union?
The video game studios claimed they had already made important changes to address the union’s worries and expressed disappointment when the union stopped negotiations. They stated their offer included protections against AI misuse.

6. What does the Interactive Media Agreement cover in terms of performers’ work?
The Interactive Media Agreement covers voice and on-camera work for video games.

7. What significant achievements did Sag-Aftra secure for TV and film actors last year?
Sag-Aftra secured $1 billion in new pay and benefits for TV and film actors, along with protections against AI misuse.

8. How have the combined strikes of actors and writers affected the film and TV industry financially?
The combined strikes of actors and writers have caused major disruptions in film and TV production, leading to an estimated loss of over $6.5 billion for California.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Television
(2) agreements
(3) issue
(4) major
(5) actors
(6) companies
(7) agree
(8) members
(9) address
(10) worries
(11) important
(12) Media
(13) talks
(14) strike
(15) California
(16) current
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. strike
Answer: (J) A situation where workers stop working to protest against something

2. artificial intelligence
Answer: (A) Technology that allows machines to think and learn like humans

3. performers
Answer: (D) People who act, sing, or entertain others

4. generative
Answer: (B) Able to produce or create something new

5. studios
Answer: (H) Places where movies or games are made

6. contract
Answer: (K) A written agreement between two or more parties

7. misuse
Answer: (G) Using something in a wrong or harmful way

8. spokesperson
Answer: (F) A person who speaks on behalf of a group or company

9. negotiations
Answer: (E) Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement

10. consent
Answer: (M) Permission or agreement to do something

11. extended
Answer: (O) Made longer in time or duration

12. disruptions
Answer: (C) Interruptions or disturbances that stop something from continuing smoothly

13. estimated
Answer: (N) Roughly calculated or guessed

14. impact
Answer: (I) The effect or influence of one thing on another

15. entertainment
Answer: (L) Activities that provide amusement or enjoyment
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What are Hollywood actors currently striking against?
Answer: (a) Big video game companies

2. Which organization represents more than 2,500 video game performers?
Answer: (b) Sag-Aftra

3. What major concern do the performers have regarding artificial intelligence (AI)?
Answer: (c) It could copy their voices and looks

4. What did the video game studios claim to have made changes to?
Answer: (d) Address the union’s worries

5. What is the name of the agreement that covers voice and on-camera work for video games?
Answer: (a) Interactive Media Agreement

6. How long did the previous strike last that was mentioned in the article?
Answer: (d) 118 days

7. What significant financial impact have the combined strikes of actors and writers caused?
Answer: (b) Over $6.5 billion loss for California

8. What did Sag-Aftra secure for TV and film actors last year?
Answer: (c) $1 billion in new pay and benefits
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Hollywood actors are on strike against major video game companies like Activision, Warner Bros, and Walt Disney. (Answer: True)
2. The Interactive Media Agreement, which covers voice and on-camera work for video games, has been extended year by year since the last contract ended in November 2022. (Answer: False)
3. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) represents less than 2,500 video game performers. (Answer: False)
4. The video game studios claim they have made important changes to address the union’s concerns about AI. (Answer: True)
5. Performers are content that generative AI could replicate their voices and appearances without fair compensation. (Answer: False)
6. Despite there have been some agreements about pay and job safety, the issue of AI remains resolved. (Answer: False)
7. The strike is mainly about concerns over how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the gaming industry. (Answer: True)
8. The combined strikes of actors and writers have led to significant financial losses for California, estimated at over $6.5 billion. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧