What was Sean Astin doing at CES 2026?

Sean Astin attended CES 2026 as SAG-AFTRA President to assess AI's impact on actors and creative professionals.

How is AI affecting actors and their careers?

AI poses threats through deepfakes, digital replicas, and potential job displacement, especially in voiceover and background acting roles.

What is SAG-AFTRA's stance on AI advancements?

SAG-AFTRA is actively working to understand AI's implications and negotiate protections for its members' names, images, and livelihoods.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sean Astin Tackles AI Threat at Tech Show

Sean Astin Tackles AI Threat at Tech Show

10 Jan

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Summary

Sean Astin attended CES 2026 as SAG-AFTRA President.
He focused on AI's impact on actors and creative professionals.
Astin believes AI advancements will inevitably impact the workforce.

Sean Astin Tackles AI Threat at Tech Show

Sean Astin, President of SAG-AFTRA, was present at CES 2026 to understand the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and their implications for the union's 160,000 members. His mission-focused approach involved utilizing AI tools to analyze the extensive information presented at the technology trade show.

Astin's primary concern is how AI, particularly generative models, affects actors' rights, including their name, image, and likeness. He highlighted that despite contract bargaining cycles, AI development outpaces current agreements, posing an "uncertain threat" to the organization and its members.

Concerns extend to voiceover work and background actors, with AI's ability to create digital replicas potentially displacing human roles. Astin acknowledged that while some members are "anti AI," understanding the technology is crucial for SAG-AFTRA to advocate effectively and prepare for future challenges.