NAVA AI Contract Language & the fAIr Voices Campaign

Voice actors face new challenges and opportunities in the era of AI. NAVA's initiatives offer resources and campaigns to safeguard their interests, ensuring fair practices in this evolving landscape.

About NAVA

The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) is a non-profit association dedicated to advocating for the voice acting industry. Launched in November 2022, NAVA focuses on action, education, inclusion, and benefits, aiming to advance the industry's standards. Significantly, NAVA is the first voice over association to offer nationwide group healthcare for voice actors, marking a major step in supporting the community's welfare.

AI Voice Resources

To aid navigating the complex world of AI and synthetic voices, NAVA has developed a collection of resources, designed to educate, protect, and empower voice actors in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI voices. Their goal is to create standardized definitions and work types involving AI voices, and implement protections for performers. By focusing on contractual advocacy, they guide actors, both union and non-union, in navigating the complexities of AI voice contracts. This includes ensuring consent, defining usage limits, and securing appropriate compensation. NAVA's initiatives, like Vocal Variants, unite actors to address industry-wide challenges, advocating for legal and contractual amendments to protect against exploitation and improper use of AI technologies in voice acting.

Among NAVA’s offered resources, you'll find:

• Synthetic Voice/AI Rider: A critical tool to prevent unauthorized use of voice actors' work for AI training.
• Comprehensive Legal Templates: Contracts and addendums to safeguard voice actors in AI-related projects.
• Educational Materials: Guidelines and advice for navigating AI voice acting.
• Advocacy for Voice Actors: Support in understanding rights and negotiating fair terms.

NAVA Synthetic Voice/Artificial Intelligence Rider

This rider plays a crucial role in safeguarding voice actors from having their voices used to train AI models without their consent. It's a proactive step towards ensuring voice actors maintain control over their voice usage and are compensated appropriately. This tool is crucial in an era where AI's impact on the voice acting industry is becoming increasingly significant.

Template AI Voice Contract

NAVA's AI voice actor resources feature a template AI voice contract designed to help voice actors safely work with AI. It includes provisions related to usage, consent, compensation, and limitations on the use of AI-generated voices. NAVA stresses the importance of this template as a guide for voice actors, but also emphasizes the necessity of seeking independent legal advice. The organization clearly indicates that this template serves an educational purpose and should be adapted to fit individual situations with professional legal consultation.

About the fAIr Voices Campaign

NAVA's fAIr Voices campaign emphasizes "Consent, Control, Compensation" for voice actors in the age of AI. The campaign advocates for the right of actors to decide whether their voices are used for AI purposes, ensuring control over synthetic voice usage and fair compensation for their voice prints and likenesses. This movement has garnered support from various industry stakeholders, reinforcing the need for ethical practices in AI voice acting.

Tim Friedlander's Insightful Discussion

NAVA is taking a very balanced approach of being open to AI but with proper regulations, as shown by Tim Friedlander (Founder of NAVA)'s comments in his recent interview. Hosted by Alicyn Packard, an accomplished voice actor and producer, on her YouTube channel, the interview delved into the impact of AI voices on the voice acting industry. Tim discussed defining AI and synthetic voices, their creation, and the importance of educating performers about contractual terms and the future implications of AI voice technology. They also touched upon the ethical considerations, the necessity for performers' consent, and the significances of AI on union and non-union actors. The interview highlighted NAVA's commitment to guiding voice actors through the evolving landscape of AI voice technology, while advocating for their rights and integrity.

Conclusion

In a rapidly evolving industry where AI plays an increasing role, NAVA's efforts are vital in protecting the rights and interests of voice actors. Their resources and campaigns like fAIr Voices are instrumental in advocating for consent, control, and fair compensation, guiding voice actors through the new challenges presented by AI in the entertainment industry.