Fact Check: "The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) suspended its nearly year-long strike against video game companies on June 12, 2025, following a tentative agreement that includes protections against the use of AI."
What We Know
On June 11, 2025, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced the suspension of its strike against major video game companies, which had lasted nearly a year. This decision followed the reaching of a tentative agreement that included significant provisions regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video game production. According to NPR, the agreement features "guardrails" aimed at protecting performers from the potential misuse of AI technologies. SAG-AFTRA's national executive director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the performers during the strike, highlighting the importance of the new protections against AI (NPR).
The tentative agreement was reached on June 9, 2025, and the strike was officially suspended just two days later, on June 11, 2025. This information is corroborated by the Wikipedia page dedicated to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA video game strike, which notes that the agreement included enhanced protections against AI usage, reflecting the concerns of performers regarding job security and the unauthorized use of their likenesses and voices.
Analysis
The claim that SAG-AFTRA suspended its strike on June 12, 2025, is slightly inaccurate regarding the date of suspension; the official suspension occurred on June 11, 2025. However, the essence of the claim—that the suspension followed a tentative agreement including AI protections—is accurate. The NPR article provides a detailed account of the negotiations and the resulting agreement, emphasizing the historical wage increases and health protections included in the deal.
The reliability of the sources is strong, particularly the NPR report, which is known for its journalistic integrity and thorough reporting. The Wikipedia entry also provides a factual overview, though it is important to note that Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, which may introduce the potential for inaccuracies. Nevertheless, the information presented aligns with the details provided by NPR and other reputable sources (VentureBeat).
The concerns raised by performers regarding AI—specifically the potential for their performances to be replicated without consent—were central to the negotiations and are well-documented in the reports. This context adds credibility to the claim that the agreement includes protections against AI, as performers sought to establish clear boundaries regarding the use of their data and likenesses in the gaming industry.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
While the claim contains a minor inaccuracy regarding the date of suspension (it was June 11, not June 12), the core assertion that SAG-AFTRA suspended its strike following a tentative agreement that includes protections against AI is accurate. The agreement addresses critical concerns of performers and represents a significant development in the ongoing negotiations between labor and industry in the face of advancing technology.
Sources
- Performers and video game companies reach deal ... - NPR Link
- 2024–present SAG-AFTRA video game strike - Wikipedia Link
- SAG - Gesetz zur Sanierung und Abwicklung von Instituten und ... Link
- SAG-AFTRA board approves agreement with game ... - VentureBeat Link
- SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike Suspended at Noon PT ... Link
