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)

– 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.

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 ? and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra), which represents more than 2,500 video game performers. While they have made some ? about pay and job safety, the ? of AI is still a ? 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 ? fairly. Sag-Aftra has said that even though they have made progress on other issues, the ? haven't clearly promised to protect the actors when it comes to AI. The union made it clear that they won’t ? to a contract that lets companies misuse AI at the expense of their ?. In response, the video game studios claim they have already made important changes to ? the union's ?. Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the companies, expressed disappointment when the union decided to stop negotiations. She said their offer includes ? protections against AI misuse, requiring consent and fair pay for all performers involved in the Interactive ? 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 ? 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 ? 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 ?. The outcome of the ? strike could have a big impact on the future of performers in both gaming and entertainment.

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?

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