SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Makes Keynote at Symposium

SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell was a keynote speaker at the Art in the Age of A.I. Symposium on May 7. The symposium was a two-day event, taking place May 6-7 at the Villa Albertine in New York City, and was hosted by the French Institute of the French Embassy. Among those in attendance were artists and tech leaders, as well as other subject-matter experts in law, academia and the French Government’s A.I. Commission, Université Paris-Saclay.

Art in the Age of A.I. explored artificial intelligence’s influence on the creative process, a theme that Powell gave importance to in her keynote titled “The Agreement that Changed Hollywood.” In discussing her firsthand experiences during the TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations in 2023, including the 118-day strike, she spoke to the continued necessity of human beings guiding creativity in entertainment and media.  

“Any discussions around art and A.I. technology should focus on the people: both the people who make the art and the people who enjoy the art,” said Powell. “If left up to human audiences, there’s no doubt folks would choose a performance by their favorite actor rather than a performance by a digitally-created, synthetic performer. After all, this is why we follow our idols on social media, enjoy watching them talk about their craft in videos, and buy magazines that feature their interviews. These are real people, with real lives, making those real, artistic choices that enrapture us.”

Her keynote also touched on SAG-AFTRA’s support of legislation that safeguards against the most harmful uses of A.I., including the NO FAKES Act, and pushed for government protections for intellectual property rights.

“Though A.I. may be complex, the solutions don’t have to be. We must push for public policy that prioritizes people over corporate profits, legislation that secures individuals’ intellectual property rights and rights to their voice and image likenesses, contractual language that ensures informed consent and compensation, and the restoration of all workers’ rights to collective bargaining,” said Powell. 

Created by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and supported by the French Ministry of Culture, Villa Albertine offers a novel artists’ residency model with permanent presences in 10 major U.S. cities. Villa Albertine actively supports the endeavors of French cultural actors across the country through a bold and nimble program, in close collaboration with leading American cultural organizations.

Photo: SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell at the “Art in the Age of A.I.” Symposium on May 7. Photo by Vincent Florant.