Canada’s actors, directors, and musicians are advocating for industry protection in the face of artificial intelligence, which is seen as a threat to their careers and reputations. These groups are urging the Liberal government to include safeguards for TV, movie, and music professionals in the proposed AI legislation.
ACTRA, the actors’ union, expressed concerns about the potential misuse of people’s names and images in AI-created videos, and the possibility of human actors being replaced entirely. The Directors Guild of Canada also emphasized the threat posed by generative AI, such as ChatGPT, which can reproduce extensive amounts of work without permission or compensation.
Additionally, Music Canada emphasized the need for clear labeling of AI-generated content to help distinguish it from human-created content. These concerns were raised during testimony given to the House of Commons industry committee on February 12, as the committee examines the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. These organizations fear that unbridled use of AI could fundamentally alter their industries and jeopardize the livelihoods of those working in TV, movies, and music.