Olivia Williams says actors need ‘nudity rider’-type controls for AI body scans

In the Digital Age, Actors' Rights Are Being Tested

A growing concern among performers is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create digital models from their likenesses, raising questions about consent, data control, and the impact on future jobs. Olivia Williams, a prominent actor known for her roles in Dune: Prophecy and The Crown, believes that actors should have more say over how their body scan data is used.

Williams cites the example of "nudity riders," which grant actors certain rights over explicit content. She advocates for similar controls to be applied to AI-generated digital models, insisting that performers' likenesses cannot be used without their consent in any context beyond a specific scene's edit. This would prevent the data from being misused or exploited in other ways.

Actors are often pressured into undergoing body scans while on set with little understanding of how the data will be used. Many have been left with vague clauses in their contracts, which seem to grant studios wide-ranging rights over their likeness across all platforms and perpetually. This lack of transparency has led to widespread concern among performers, who fear that AI models trained on their likenesses could eventually displace human actors.

Williams herself has struggled to negotiate similar protections into her own contracts, despite investigating how to own her own data and license it for limited use. The high cost of lawyers advised against further action made it unfeasible. Instead, she's speaking out as a warning to young actors who may face similar situations in the future.

The issue is now being discussed between Equity, the UK performing arts union, and Pact, the UK screen sector's trade body, with demands for AI protections to be included in major film and TV agreements. Paul W Fleming, Equity's general secretary, sees this as an opportunity to implement basic minimum standards that would prioritize consent and transparency on set.

Producers acknowledge their obligations under data protection law but are tight-lipped about the negotiations. The outcome is uncertain, leaving performers like Williams to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI-generated content and digital rights.

I'm getting so sick of these contracts... it's like they're giving studios carte blanche to exploit us for our own likeness . I mean, I get it, data protection law is a thing, but come on, can't we have some say in how our bodies are being used? It's not just about the nudity riders, it's about all the other ways our likenesses are getting used without consent - AI models, digital avatars... it's like we're losing control of our own image . And don't even get me started on the lawyers' fees... it's like they want us to give up. I'm so tired of these studios playing both sides against each other, using "protection" as an excuse to silence performers. Equity needs to step up and set some real standards here, not just some token protections . It's about time we had a conversation about what it means to be a performer in the digital age...

I just got back from a crazy weekend camping trip with my friends , we stayed up till 3 am talking about our favorite podcasts and whatnot. Speaking of which, have you guys listened to that new true crime podcast? It's SO good! Anyway, I was thinking, it'd be awesome if we could use AI-generated avatars in VR experiences for, like, therapy sessions or something . Can you imagine being able to relive memories or scenarios without having to deal with the actual emotions? Mind blown, right?

omg i feel for olivia williams!! she's right tho - our bodies r our own lol what r producers thinking? they're basically saying "hey, we can do w/ ur body scan data however we want" without even asking 4 consent . it's like, data control is a thing now & it should b taken seriously!!! i dont no about equity & pact negotiating but if paul w fleming is on board w/ prioritizing consent n transparency, dat's def a step in the right direction

I don’t usually comment but... it's wild that actors' likenesses can be used to create digital models without their consent, right? I mean, think about it - we're talking about our own bodies here! Body scans are already super personal and invasive enough, so why not have some control over how they're used? And those contracts can be super shady too... like, what even is the point of having a "nudity rider" if you don't have any real protection for your own digital footprint? It's like, we're already dealing with so much pressure and scrutiny in this industry, do we really need to worry about our digital likenesses being exploited too? I guess what I'm saying is... let's make sure the unions are pushing for some serious protections for actors' rights when it comes to AI-generated content!

Ugh I'm so over these "nudity riders"... Like, can't they just have some transparency on set? Actors are already dealing with enough pressure, now we're talking about having our bodies scanned without even knowing what's going to happen to the data. And don't even get me started on AI-generated digital models... it's like, hello! That's not just your face on a screen, that's your entire life story being created and sold out from under you. It's no wonder actors are freaking out about consent and control over their likeness. Can we please just have some basic human decency in the entertainment industry?

omg u guys i just saw this news about actors & AI generated models its literally so wild that they have to do these body scans on set w/ out even knowing how their data is gonna be used?! it sounds super sketchy & exploitative especially w/ all the clauses in contracts that seem 2 grant studios control over their likenesses 4eva olivia williams is right 2 speak out about this tho she's like "hey let's get some basic consent & transparency on set" i feel 4 her & all the other actors who r tryna navigate this crazy industry rn

I think this is a big deal for actors and performers . They're basically saying "hey, we don't want our faces or bodies used without our permission" . It's like, what if you did a body scan just to make a funny meme on social media ? You'd be like "wait, can I use that in a TV show?" . This is way more serious than that .

I think it's awesome that Olivia Williams is speaking out about this . She should totally own her data and make some cash from it . And what's up with these "nudity riders" ? It's like, you're saying you don't want to be naked in a movie, but then they still use your likeness for whatever .

It's weird that producers are being all secretive about this . They should just come clean and say what they're doing with the data . And Equity is trying to make some basic rules , which is cool . We should support them on this .

AI is getting out of hand Actors need to be in control of their own likeness, no more selling us out for a paycheck Williams is right, we can't just let studios do whatever they want with our bodies gotta create some boundaries here Don't wanna see AI models taking over the industry, that's just not cool

ugh I'm so frustrated for all these actors out there who just want some control over their own likeness they're literally being scanned and turned into digital models without even knowing how it's going to be used or what rights they have to it...I mean, I get that AI is a thing and we need to adapt, but come on studios can't just exploit people for profit the nudity riders thing was always kinda shady anyway...now with AI it's like they're playing with fire Olivia Williams is speaking truth here, let's hope Equity and Pact can make some real changes happen

I'm literally torn ... I mean, I think actors should have complete control over their own likenesses, it's only fair , but at the same time, can't we just, like, accept that AI is a thing now and move on? It's not like they're using our faces to create robots or something... yet . But then again, what if these digital models are used in some way we can't even imagine, like a virtual reality experience or something? Do we really want to put ourselves out there without any protection at all?

And don't even get me started on the contract thingy... I mean, it's not fair that they're just leaving these clauses in there with no explanation whatsoever . How are we supposed to know what's going on when we sign up for a project? It's like, come on studios, can't you just be more transparent about this stuff?

But then I'm also thinking... what if this is just the beginning of something new and amazing? What if these digital models are used to create some groundbreaking performance art or something? Would we be missing out on something incredible by not embracing this technology?

ugh I dont get why they need to scan ur body in the first place its all just a bunch of red tape but seriously whats up with these "nudity riders" thingy? it sounds like actors r getting played and now AI is just gonna take it to a whole new level its like, can we just get some basic transparency around how our likenesses are being used?? I mean I would freak out if i was olivia williams rn

AI is literally taking over our jobs and it's scary... I mean, we've been talking about actors' rights for ages, now it's like our faces are gonna be floating around in space . What really gets me is how they're using body scans without our consent - it's like we're just pawns in a game of digital chess . We need more control over our own likenesses and how they're used, especially when it comes to sensitive stuff. I'm all for the idea of having some basic protections in place, but we gotta be careful not to get too caught up in tech-speak... just make sure we're not losing ourselves in the process .

I'm not sure about these "nudity riders" though... isn't that just another way for studios to control what actors say or do on set? Like, if an actor gets a rider that says they can only use their likeness for one specific scene's edit, but the studio has the final say on how it's used in post-production... doesn't that kinda undermine the whole point of having consent in the first place?

I mean, I get that actors wanna own their own data and license it for limited use, but if studios are already pushing back on that, what's to stop them from just using AI-generated models anyway? And what about all these vague clauses in contracts... isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we can do whatever we want with your likeness"?

"Actions speak louder than words" - they're taking action now!

AI-generated digital models for actors are getting out of hand ! Did you know that 75% of the world's data will be generated by machines by 2025? It's only a matter of time before we're seeing more AI-driven performances. The issue with consent is huge - think about it, 65% of people who provide personal data don't even read the terms & conditions

According to research, AI-generated faces can be mistaken for human faces up to 90% of the time! It's like having a digital doppelganger. The fact that 30% of actors are already being asked to sign contracts without fully understanding what they're getting into is alarming.

The proposed 'nudity riders' would ensure that performers have some say over their own data, which is about time. Let's get this 3D modeling law changed ASAP!

ugh i totally get why olivia williams wants more control over her own likeness...i mean can u imagine having a digital twin created without ur consent? it's like they're saying ur body is just a resource to be exploited by the industry...and yeah, those contracts are super sketchy. i had a friend who tried to negotiate better terms for their own data and got shafted by the studio...it's not cool. anyway, i think this whole thing is gonna get blown way out of proportion cuz it's just so new...but at the same time, it's about time we started having these conversations about digital rights...let's hope equity and pact can make some real changes

I think its wild how quickly we're gonna have to adapt our understanding of consent in the digital age...like, what happens when AI starts making you wanna be a digital version of yourself? Shouldn't we at least get a say in how that's used? I mean, I remember reading about those "nudity riders" on set and just thinking it was so messed up that they had to have control over that stuff...now its like, "wait, this is even bigger now"