Artificial Intelligence

UK Actors Vote 99% Against Digital Scanning Amid AI Dispute

Should production companies take much stronger steps to protect creatives, or is AI less dangerous than imagined by empowering independent artists?

Published DEC 19 2025

UK Actors Vote 99% Against Digital Scanning Amid AI Dispute

Story

Above: Paul W. Fleming, the head of U.K. actors union Equity, speaks at a protest in London on July 21, 2023. Image credit: Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

Equity, the U.K.'s largest acting union, voted with over 99% support to refuse being digitally scanned on set for the purposes of training AI. The ballot had a turnout exceeding 75%, with more than 7,000 actors, stunt performers and dancers participating.
Deadline
Sky News
Equity general secretary Paul Fleming stated that 90% of TV and film production operates under these agreements, with over 75% of artists working on them being union members. He said the workforce is willing to significantly disrupt production if they're not respected.
Morning Star
The Independent
Negotiations between Equity and Pact, the trade body representing the majority of production companies, have been ongoing for 18 months — making progress on digital replica protections but not as much on using performance data to train AI systems.
iAfrica
Sky News
Pact stated that the "majority" of productions don't scan cast members, and when scanning occurs, it's typically for editing or special effects purposes. During negotiations, Pact offered Equity terms on AI consistent with those in place in other countries.
guardian
Deadline
The U.K. Government's public consultation on copyright and AI received more than 11,500 responses. Just 3% of respondents supported the government's preferred opt-out model, while 88% said copyright laws should require licensing agreements in all cases.
The Society of Authors
The Telegraph
Critics of the growing use of AI in film have included professionals from both industries, including former AI developer Ed Newton-Rex, musician Sir Elton John and actress Julianne Moore. Other creative groups, such as the Society of Authors, came together to launch the Make it Fair Campaign.
The Society of Authors
The Telegraph

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The Spin

Techno-skeptic narrative

Copyright protections must be upheld, and tech companies cannot be allowed to freely exploit creative work without permission or payment. The overwhelming 88% support for requiring AI companies to obtain licenses proves that creators refuse to accept a system where their labor trains machines without compensation. Fairness and transparency aren't optional, but essential to preserving the creative industries and the people who make them great.

Morning Star

The Society of Authors

Techno-optimist narrative

AI tools are revolutionizing filmmaking by democratizing production and enabling creators to make high-quality content faster and cheaper than ever before. The technology allows filmmakers to produce work at the speed of culture, potentially discovering the next generation of great directors who lack big studio backing. While artists should be part of the discussion, the tech itself should be seen as a helpful tool, not a human replacement.

guardian

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Limited Coverage

This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.