SAG-AFTRA Weighs a 'Tilly Tax' on Studios to Fund AI Protections
As AI-enabled performers threaten jobs, SAG-AFTRA is considering a 'Tilly tax'—a studio royalty for digital or synthetic performers that would feed union pension and health funds—ahead of Feb. 9 negotiations with the AMPTP. The move follows AI fears from the 2023 strike and the rise of digital figures like Tilly Norwood; while the union secured AI protections, residuals on streaming remain a sore point, and some actors urge stronger terms beyond a streaming bonus. Proponents argue the royalties are a necessary funding mechanism for long-term security, while critics view it as a controversial last resort. The talks will shape whether studios compensate for AI replacements with AI-related royalties that support actors’ futures.
