4,000 French artists are calling for a law to regulate AI

Just days before the 51st César Awards ceremony, the French film industry is raising its voice.

In an opinion piece published in Le Parisien, nearly 4,000 actors, actresses, and filmmakers denounce what they call "outright plundering" by AI tools, specifically targeting the reproduction of their voices and faces without authorization or compensation.

A cloning of voices becoming commonplace

Supported by Adami, a collective management organization for performers' rights, this initiative comes at a time when, with the arrival of tools like Seedance 2.0, generative AI is disrupting the entire audiovisual value chain.

While the technology is seen as promising in some professions, the signatories believe that it jeopardizes the economic and legal balance of the profession.

Among the signatories are Swann Arlaud, Gérard Jugnot, and Franck Dubosc, José Garcia, Léa Drucker, Élodie Bouchez, Aïssa Maïga, and Karin Viard are all warning of a profound transformation in their profession since the rise of AI. Voice cloning, particularly in the dubbing industry, is a major source of concern. According to the artists, unauthorized reproductions are on the rise, sometimes through low-cost image rights contracts. Some describe agreements as akin to a Faustian bargain, paying only a few hundred euros, which permanently binds their image and voice. This economic pressure primarily affects less established professionals, who are forced to accept unfair terms to continue working. At the end of January, several voice actors sent cease and desist letters to American companies accused of cloning their voices without their consent. A clear demand: regulate, not prohibit. Contrary to some preconceived notions, the signatories do not reject AI outright. “We are not at all against AI,” actor and director Maurice Barthélémy reminded listeners on RTL. According to him, the demand concerns consent and remuneration, with the ability to accept or refuse the use of one's image or voice in a transparent manner. Artists are thus calling for the establishment of a clear legal framework capable of protecting copyright and related rights against uses that are still uncommon. deemed too vague. Adami also advocates for a ban on the posthumous exploitation of voices and faces without authorization, as well as for the creation of a label identifying AI-generated content. For French professionals, a national law would be a first step, before aligning with the European framework, particularly the AI Act. This is a way to try to regain control over a technology whose uses are evolving faster than the law…