Japanese actors' union releases AI usage guidelines, requiring performers' consent at every stage
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The Japanese actors' union has released guidelines for AI applications, requiring companies to obtain performers' informed consent at every stage of AI use, clearly disclose whether voices will be used for AI training, and negotiate remuneration. For deceased performers, the guidelines stipulate that AI voice replication is prohibited unless they explicitly consented during their lifetime, and that permission from surviving family members or estate management bodies must be obtained and copyright royalties paid. The union says the move aims to protect the dignity, reputation and artistic legacy of deceased performers.
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The Japanese actors' union has set out rules for staged informed consent and authorization for AI recreations of deceased performers, which can serve as a compliance reference for AI voice use.
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工会提出的指导方针并非全面禁令或严苛管控，而是要求在AI应用的“每个阶段”都征得表演者的知情同意。企业必须明确告知演员其声音是否会被用于AI训练，同时还需与演员协商报酬。换句话说，同意让AI生成自己的声音用于短视频广告等场景，就如同授权商家将自己的肖像印在麦片包装盒上，属于形象授权的范畴。
这些知情同意准则同样适用于AI转译的表演内容，而对于已故演员的形象声音模仿，限制则更为严格——比如已故歌手图派克在即将上映的《天堂异客》中“出镜”一事就曾引发广泛争议。
准则明确规定，除非已故演员生前已明确同意，否则禁止使用AI复制其声音。同时，AI相关使用还需征得演员在世的家属、遗产管理机构或其他相关管理组织的同意，并向这些权利继承方支付版权使用费。
工会表示：“这一规定旨在保护已故表演者的尊严、名誉与艺术遗产，免遭商业剥削。我们会最大限度尊重逝者生前的意愿，在生成AI相关内容时，必须获得继承相关权利的家属（或管理者）的正式许可，防止对逝者造成亵渎。”
配音行业早已出现过不少AI相关的乱象，比如AI模拟詹姆斯·厄尔·琼斯的声音，在《堡垒之夜》中说出AI生成的侮辱性言论。相比之下，日本演员工会的这套指导方针显得相当温和合理。这些保障演员权益的举措能否在日本娱乐业乃至更大范围内落地推行，还需时间验证。