More than 16,000 people have signed an open letter from SAG-AFTRA calling on Congress to pass the NO FAKES Act, a revived bill that would ban unauthorized artificial intelligence-generated images and videos. The legislation would give individuals legal control over how their name and likeness are used in AI-generated content.
The petition comes as deepfakes have become increasingly common with the rise of large language models and generative AI tools. These technologies have made it easier to create realistic but fake depictions of actors, singers, and other public figures without their consent. The entertainment industry has raised concerns about the potential for unauthorized use of performer likenesses in everything from fake celebrity endorsements to synthetic performances.
The NO FAKES Act represents a legislative response to growing anxiety about AI's impact on personal identity rights. If passed, the law would establish federal protections for individuals whose images or voices are replicated by artificial intelligence without permission. The bill had been introduced previously but has been revived amid mounting pressure from the entertainment industry and advocacy groups.
SAG-AFTRA has made AI protections a central focus of its advocacy work, particularly following contract negotiations that addressed the use of AI in film and television production. The union has pushed for clear guardrails around the use of digital replicas and synthetic performances, arguing that performers should maintain control over their own images and voices throughout their careers and beyond.
The petition drive reflects broader concerns about the intersection of technology and personal rights in the digital age. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, questions about consent, compensation, and control over digital likenesses have moved from theoretical concerns to immediate policy debates. The entertainment industry, with its concentration of recognizable faces and voices, has emerged as a focal point for these discussions about how to regulate AI-generated content while balancing innovation and individual rights.
The debate over AI-generated content highlights a larger pattern emerging across sectors as technology advances faster than legislation. Similar concerns about technology outpacing regulatory frameworks are appearing in other areas, from education to social media. As stakeholders across industries push for protective measures, policymakers face the challenge of creating rules that safeguard individuals while allowing technological progress to continue. The NO FAKES Act and similar legislative efforts aim to address this balance by establishing clear boundaries around the use of personal identity in AI applications, particularly in cases where individuals have not provided their consent.