SAG-AFTRA Files Labor Charge Against Epic Games Over Fortnite AI Voices

SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic Games and its subsidiary Llama Productions for implementing an AI-generated Darth Vader NPC in Fortnite without union consultation or bargaining. While the use of James Earl Jones' voice was authorized by his estate, SAG-AFTRA argues that other actors who have portrayed Darth Vader in video games and are still working were replaced unilaterally by AI, violating labor agreements. The union emphasized the importance of protecting voice actors' rights to negotiate terms when AI replaces their work, especially amid ongoing strikes for better protections in the video game industry. Epic Games quickly patched the AI character after players exploited it to make inappropriate remarks, but this did not mitigate the union's concerns about job displacement and lack of negotiation. SAG-AFTRA's complaint to the National Labor Relations Board claims Epic Games failed to bargain in good faith and made unilateral employment changes by deploying AI voices. Despite the technological novelty and the support from James Earl Jones' family, the case highlights growing tensions between the entertainment industry unions and the use of AI in voice acting.