The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has recently issued a statement urging its members to opt-out of Meta’s new AI image feature, known as Muse Image. This move comes in response to growing concerns over the potential misuse of members’ likenesses in AI-generated images.
In a statement released on Thursday, the guild emphasized the importance of protecting one’s likeness and image. ‘Meta now lets anyone use your Instagram photos in AI images without your consent,’ the statement read. ‘SAG-AFTRA recommends that #SagAftraMembers (and all Instagram users) opt-OUT of Meta’s new AI image generation tool, Muse Image. Take action to protect your likeness.’
The Muse Image feature, which was recently introduced by Meta, allows users to generate AI images using public or unprotected Instagram feeds. Once a user tags a public or unprotected Instagram feed, the AI generator can create its own images or ‘remixes’ using the tagged content. These images are then available online permanently.
The SAG-AFTRA statement also highlights the potential risks associated with the Muse Image feature, particularly in regards to the unauthorized use of members’ likenesses. ‘No one’s name, image, likeness, voice, or creative work should be used by any third party, including AI models, without clear, documented consent,’ the guild emphasized.
CAA, a leading talent agency, has also expressed concerns over the Muse Image feature. In a statement, the agency called for Meta to implement guardrails for the feature, citing the need to protect members’ rights and livelihoods. ‘Artists deserve to decide if and how their likeness and work is used, with consent and the ability to set their own terms,’ the agency stated.
Meta has downplayed the concerns surrounding the Muse Image feature, stating that the tool is built with ‘strong controls and safety guardrails’ from the outset. However, the company has acknowledged that users can opt-out of the feature with just a few clicks. ‘We will take action against any content that violates our Community Standards,’ Meta stated.
The use of AI in Hollywood continues to be a hot-button topic, with many in the industry calling for greater transparency and control over the use of AI-generated images. SAG-AFTRA has endorsed the Trump administration’s AI policy framework, which calls for Congress to enact legislation that includes parental controls, intellectual property rights protection, First Amendment protections, expanding AI workforce development, allowing data centers to generate their own power, and removing legal barriers that limit AI innovation.
Meanwhile, Meta’s AI Image feature has sparked a heated debate over the ethics of AI-generated images. As the industry continues to grapple with the implications of AI, it remains to be seen how the Muse Image feature will be used and regulated in the future.
