Is Darth Vader Luring AI to the Dark Side of Labor Law? Why Latest Union Battle Means Employers Should Proceed with Caution
A video game developer needs to hope that the Force is with it as it squares off with a union over the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. SAG-AFTRA just filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against Epic Games over the use of an AI-generated Darth Vader voice in the video game Fortnite , accusing the gaming giant’s subsidiary, Llama Productions, of unlawfully replacing union voice actors without bargaining. The May 19 charge has ignited a high-profile clash over AI and labor rights – and serves as a warning for any employer eyeing AI as a cost-cutting replacement for human work. What Happened? On May 19, SAG-AFTRA filed a ULP charge against Llama Productions, a subsidiary of Epic Games, after the popular video game Fortnite unveiled an AI-generated version of Darth Vader using the iconic voice of James Earl Jones. While the employer says it received the approval of the late actor’s estate, the ULP alleges that Epic Games failed to consult with the ...