SAG-AFTRA reacts to Disney’s partnership with OpenAI, raising concerns about job protection, AI transparency, and how the deal may impact performers across film and television.

Union Addresses Growing Concerns Over AI

December 12, 2025: SAG-AFTRA is speaking out following Disney’s newly announced partnership with OpenAI, responding to the blockbuster deal with a mix of caution, urgency, and insistence on stronger protections for performers. The union released a statement acknowledging the technological opportunities such partnerships can create — but also warning that the entertainment industry must not sacrifice human talent in the process.

The reaction comes just days after Disney CEO Bob Iger defended the alliance as a necessary step to “future-proof storytelling.”

A Call for Strict Safeguards

SAG-AFTRA emphasized that any use of AI — especially in a studio as influential as Disney — must include strict contractual rules ensuring actors’ images, voices, and likenesses cannot be replicated without explicit consent and fair compensation. The union underscored that the priority remains protecting performers from having their work digitally replaced or altered.

Leaders stressed that Hollywood’s recent labor disputes made one thing clear: creative technology must enhance human artistry, not overshadow it.

HOLR continues tracking how unions respond to rapid AI integration across the industry.

The Union Wants Transparency From Disney

One of SAG-AFTRA’s biggest concerns is transparency. The union is demanding clarity on:

how OpenAI technology will be used in Disney’s production pipelines

whether training data includes performer likenesses

what safeguards exist to prevent unauthorized digital replication

how AI tools will affect voice actors, stunt performers, and background artists

SAG-AFTRA says the industry cannot allow another period of “grey zone” practices where technology evolves faster than worker protections.

Acknowledging the Potential Benefits — With Limits

While the union expressed skepticism, it also acknowledged that AI has the potential to streamline certain production tasks and support creative teams. SAG-AFTRA said it remains open to innovation as long as human performers remain central to the storytelling process.

The union noted that Disney’s influence means their practices will likely set a precedent — making responsible use essential.

The Broader Hollywood AI Tension

Disney’s deal with OpenAI comes at a time when nearly every major studio is attempting to balance creative innovation with workforce protection. SAG-AFTRA’s statement reflects a growing concern shared by writers, directors, and below-the-line workers who fear unchecked AI adoption could reshape labor conditions across the industry.

HOLR reports that internal union discussions have already begun to assess how this deal may affect upcoming contract negotiations.

What Comes Next for SAG-AFTRA and Disney

The union is requesting formal meetings with Disney executives to discuss the implications of the partnership and ensure performers’ rights remain at the forefront of any technological rollout. Representatives say they will continue monitoring AI’s impact and advocate for enforceable standards across all future contracts.

For now, SAG-AFTRA’s message is clear: innovation cannot come at the cost of the people who bring stories to life.

A High-Stakes Turning Point for Hollywood

Disney’s alliance with OpenAI marks one of the most significant AI moves yet by a major studio. SAG-AFTRA’s swift response underscores just how high the stakes are as technology and artistry intersect.