FAQs


Get Involved

Protect Ontario workers from the unregulated use of AI
Join ACTRA Toronto’s campaign asking the Government of Ontario to amend the Working for Workers Act to include protections for workers in Ontario from AI as well as ensure the arts, including the film, television and digital media industry, are included in Ontario’s Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework to support AI use that is accountable, safe and rights based.
Stop AI Stealing the Show
Join Equity U.K.’s campaign to strengthen performers’ rights in response to the rise of AI across the U.K. entertainment industry. The goal of the campaign is get the U.K. government to recognize the threat posed by AI, update the law, and to get industry leaders onside so that artists can feel safe in the knowledge that their intellectual property is protected. U.K.-based individuals are invited to take action by lobbying your Member of Parliament
No Fakes Act
The Human Artistry Campaign has endorsed this U.S. bill, which would establish a federal right to Americans’ own voices and likenesses and establish a system to fight back against nonconsensual AI-generated deepfakes and voice clones. U.S.-based individuals are invited to email their U.S. Representatives to encourage them to support the bill. ACTRA Toronto is a proud supporter of the Human Artistry Campaign.
No AI Fraud Act
The Human Artistry Campaign has endorsed this U.S. bill, which would establish safeguards to protect against generative AI abuses that stem from the unauthorized copying of a person’s individuality and result in deepfakes, voice clones, and non-consensual impersonations. U.S.-based individuals are invited to email their U.S. Representatives to encourage them to support this bill. ACTRA Toronto is a proud supporter of the Human Artistry Campaign.
#fAIrVoices campaign
NAVA’s #fAIrVoices campaign focuses on three aspects needed for the ethical use of AI (consent, compensation, and control) for voice actors. The campaign also includes a pledge from five of the most prominent online casting companies in voiceover, promising to never use voice actors’ audio files for the creation and/or training of AI without their consent. ACTRA Toronto is a proud supporter of NAVA and the #fAIrVoices campaign.
Real dubbing? Real People! petition
United Voice Artists (UVA) is asking anyone who values the authenticity and emotional connection brought by human voice actors over AI-generated voices to sign this petition. ACTRA Toronto is a proud member of the UVA.

ACTRA

Read ACTRA Toronto’s submission to the Government of Canada regarding its consultation on the impacts of recent developments in AI on the creative industries and the economic impacts that these technologies have, or could have, on Canadians. This consultation was conducted as part of the government’s work toward amending the Copyright Act.
ACTRA National conducted a survey to gain insight into the perspectives and experience Canadian performers have with the use of artificial intelligence. The survey results will be used to inform ACTRA’s bargaining and lobbying efforts. Click on the above graphic to view the topline results.

ACTRA Toronto AI Sub-Committee

About
The existential threat AI poses to our industry is well documented and increasing exponentially as the technology evolves. The ACTRA Toronto AI Sub-Committee was established in the summer of 2023 to attempt to address concerns of membership and increase awareness. This requires a two-pronged attack: Lobbying for legislation at all levels of government, and clearly stated AI protections in ACTRA’s collective bargaining agreements.

Mandate
To investigate and recommend safe protocols and protections around the implementation and use of AI regarding performers image, likeness, voice, or character voices, or any other intellectual property (biometrics) that a performer would bring to a production or role.

Co-Chairs

John Cleland

Cory Doran

Get Involved
Interested in joining or learning more about the AI Sub-Committee? Email John Cleland at jcleland@actratoronto.com.


The Three C’s

AI has woven itself into the fabric of our daily experiences, from personalized recommendations to advanced automation. However, this transformative technology also brings forth ethical considerations for performers that demand our attention. The need for ethical AI arises from the potential consequences of its use, ranging from biased algorithms to privacy infringements. By prioritizing concepts like Consent, Compensation, and Control, we can shape an AI-driven future that respects individual performer rights, promotes fairness of use, and aligns with the values of a diverse and interconnected global film industry.

CONSENT
Performers should have the right to consent to, and be credited for, the use of their NIL Rights* in new works in the training of AI models.

COMPENSATION
Performers should be compensated for all AI uses of their NIL Rights.*

CONTROL
Performers should be able to control the use of their NIL Rights.* And once a digital replica is made, any company dealing with this data must commit to safe storage and tracking of these files.

*NIL Rights: collective term encompassing personal voices, sound effects, actions, behaviour, images, likenesses and personalities.


Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute
The Government of Canada launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI) to leverage Canada’s world-leading AI research ecosystem and talent base to advance the understanding of risks associated with advanced AI systems and to drive the development of measures to address those risks. CAISI will conduct research under two streams: Applied and investigator-led research; and Government-directed projects.

Consultation on Copyright in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence
The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada conducted a consultation on the impacts of recent developments in AI on the creative industries and the economic impacts that these technologies have, or could have, on Canadians, and it will look at whether change is required to further improve or reinforce copyright policy for a modern, evolving Canadian economy. Consultation period closed January 15, 2024.

Assessing the Impact of Canada’s Proposed Bill C-27, Artificial Intelligence and Data Act
ACTRA National’s submitted recommendations to the the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act consultation to safeguard the fundamental needs of Canadian performers: respect, fair wages, and protection against abuse. (September 8, 2023)

Consultation on a Modern Copyright Framework for Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things
ACTRA National’s submission to Canadian Heritage and Innovation, Science and Industry focuses on the extent to which copyright-protected works are integrated in AI applications and the consequences of the misuse of AI technology. (September 17, 2021)

Human Rights Impact Assessment (HIRA) for AI Technologies
The Law Commission of Ontario and the Ontario Human Rights Commission jointly created an AI impact assessment tool to provide organizations with a method to assess AI systems for compliance with human rights obligations. The purpose of the Human Rights Impact Assessment for AI Technologies is to assist developers and administrators of AI systems to identify, assess, minimize or avoid discrimination and uphold human rights obligations throughout the lifecycle of an AI system.

Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework
The Government of Ontario is developing the province’s first Trustworthy AI Framework, which will comprise of policies, products and guidance to set out risk-based rules for the transparent, responsible and accountable use of AI by the Ontario government.


Global Legislative Landscape

The growing use of unregulated generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Canada’s film and television industry and its potential impact on the livelihoods of Canadian workers is a growing concern. While our federal government boasts Canada as being “one of the first countries in the world to propose a law to regulate AI,” it is has failed to pass any meaningful legislation, specifically regulations to protect performers working in our screen-based industry.

Below is an overview of the state of AI legislation in select G20 countries:


Resources

404 Media: Variety of resources, including articles on AI scraping, plus a Podcast.

MILA is a community of over 1,200 researchers in machine learning and interdisciplinary teams committed to advancing artificial intelligence for the benefit of all.

Human Artistry Campaign outlines the principles of how we can responsibly use artificial intelligence – to support human creativity and accomplishment with respect to the inimitable value of human artistry and expression.

LOK VOX, in partnership with NAVA, is determined to make sure artists never lose their voice. Learn how you can unlock the tools to combat AI Generated Vocal Piracy.

Montreal International Center of Expertise in Artificial Intelligence (CEIMIA) is an international leader and catalyst for innovative, socially responsible and high-impact projects in applied artificial intelligence.

National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) is a non-profit association created to advocate and promote the advancement of the voice acting industry. ACTRA Toronto is a proud supporter of NAVA.

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has convened a multi-stakeholder High-level Advisory Body (HLAB) on AI to undertake analysis and advance recommendations for the international governance of AI.

UVA (United Voice Artists) is a worldwide group of voice acting guilds, associations, and unions whose mission is to protect and preserve the artistic heritage of professional voice-over artists. ACTRA Toronto is proud to be a founding member.


Research

A new poll commissioned by CIRA in March 2024 suggests that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the spread of misinformation are top-of-mind for many internet users across the country. Learn more about the survey findings.

Mila and CEIMIA released the report, Towards Substantive Equality in AI: Transformative AI Policy for Gender Equality and Diversity, which aims to empower states and other stakeholders to create inclusive, equitable, and just AI ecosystems.

The United Nations AI HLAB released its final report in September 2024 in which it outlines a blueprint for addressing AI-related risks and sharing its transformative potential globally.


Media Interviews

Rabble.ca: Mr. Beast, AI in media and the fight to protect performers on set. Rabble editor Nick Seebruch sits down with Alistair Hepburn, executive director of ACTRA Toronto, to discuss the do-not-work notice placed on Mr. Beast’s Beast Games in Toronto and other actions ACTRA is taking to protect Canadian performers.

CTV Your Morning: Lionsgate partners with Runway. One of Hollywood’s biggest studios partners with an A.I. company, sparking concerns across the industry.
City News: A.I. and the changing the face of film production. Artificial intelligence is changing the game when it comes to television and film production, but is that a good thing? Faiza Amin speaks with film producer, Kari Hollend, on her experience, and what to keep in mind before using the technology.
CTV Your Morning: How the tech industry is dealing with deepfakes. Tech Expert Avery Swartz takes a closer look at the responsibility tech companies bear in non-consensual explicit images and AI.
CTV Your Morning: Threat of A.I. & non-consensual explicit images. Survivor and Activist Noelle Martin shares her own story and discusses what countries can learn from the laws that exist in her home country of Australia to address deepfakes and non-consensual explicit images.
The Diary of a CEO podcast: Host Steven Bartlett sits down with Egyptian entrepreneur and writer, Mo Gawdat, who speaks out about the dangers of AI.

Industry Updates

The CMPA commissioned Dentons LLP to create the report, Generative AI in Media Production: Legal considerations for Canadian film & TV producers, which outlines a set of considerations and risk mitigation strategies meant to identify areas of particular sensitivity and concern for media producers regarding the use of AI. Click here to read the report.
The DGC has struck an AI Working Group to help guide and structure the efforts of the Guild.
Game Workers Unite is an an international grassroots movement and organization dedicated to unionizing the game industry. Learn more about the Toronto chapter.
IATSE has launched a Commission to guide the union’s approach to Artificial Intelligence.
With the position that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot generate authentically Canadian content, the Writers Guild of Canada put AI to the test to see what ‘improvements’ AI could make to some of Canada’s most iconic film and television lines. Check out this video of WGC and ACTRA Toronto member Andrew Phung reading the CHAT GPT lines.

AI in the news

Union Negotiates AI Rules (September 16, 2024)