On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Richard Shavzin, 1st Vice President of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local and Executive Board member of the Illinois AFL-CIO, discussed artificial intelligence. The conversation covered the implications for union performers and the broader creative sector, potential job security risks, personal agency concerns and the rapidly evolving legal landscape as AI reshapes entertainment and media. Shavzin drew on his decades of industry experience and recent service on Governor Pritzker’s AI task force, which he said put him in a vital role as an advocate for labor in the new age of technology.
Shavzin began by distinguishing the types of AI at work in today’s world, focusing on generative AI, which can intake massive amounts of data to produce new content. While non-generative AI has contributed positively to fields like science and medicine, generative AI poses a unique threat to the creative sector by replicating voices, images and performances. He explained how the technology could be used to create deepfakes, pass off synthesized content as original work and undermine performers' ability to control their likenesses. This shift has already triggered strikes and legal battles from SAG-AFTRA, highlighting the urgent need for regulation to prevent abuse and protect artists’ rights.
Turning to legislative efforts, Shavzin noted that several states, including Illinois, Tennessee and Washington, have begun enacting laws to protect workers against AI-related exploitation. Illinois is especially forward-thinking, with progressive measures like biometric data protection yielding real consequences for violators. However, Shavzin warned that proposed federal bills threaten to override state-level protections, putting workers at risk of inconsistent safeguards nationwide. Until meaningful federal legislation is enacted, states will remain battlegrounds where labor’s interests must be defended, creating both opportunities and obstacles for unions, he said.
Finally, Shavzin stressed the importance of an agency for those in creative professions, advocating the principles of consent, credit, and compensation in AI use. As technology evolves, especially with the potential to fully recreate visual performances, the pace of advancement raises new ethical challenges. Shavzin highlighted recent lawsuits, such as the New York Times’ action against OpenAI, as precursors to future court decisions and regulatory action. He underscored that while AI will not be stifled, it is essential for unions and lawmakers to secure fair treatment for workers and ensure they benefit from, rather than fall victim to, the rapid transformation of their industry.
For more from Shavzin, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.