In a landmark move for the UK's entertainment sector, performers have delivered a powerful message to producers by voting to reject digital scanning on set. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and the lack of safeguards for actors' digital likenesses.
A Defining Vote for Performers' Rights
Equity, the UK's largest acting union, announced the results of an indicative industrial action ballot on Thursday 18 December 2025. The ballot saw an overwhelming majority of its members support a refusal to undergo digital scanning, a process used to create detailed 3D models of performers. This is the first time such a large section of Equity's membership has been consulted on this issue, with over 7,000 performers working across television and film taking part.
While the vote is indicative and not legally binding, it represents a significant warning shot to the industry. It demonstrates the substantial level of support within the union for collective action, short of an all-out strike. The ballot's primary aim is to secure robust and adequate protections against the unauthorised or exploitative use of AI technology.
Echoes of Global Unrest
The UK vote follows a period of major industrial unrest in the United States during 2023. Members of Equity's sister union, SAG-AFTRA, embarked on a historic four-month strike. A central pillar of that dispute was the demand for concrete protections against the potential misuse of AI, including how digital scans and performances could be used in perpetuity without fair compensation or consent.
The strong result in the UK suggests similar anxieties are prevalent among British performers. They are seeking clear contractual guarantees that their digital replicas cannot be used indefinitely or repurposed for new projects without their explicit permission and appropriate payment.
Implications for the UK Film and TV Industry
This collective stance could have profound implications for the UK's lucrative film and television industry, which is a major contributor to the national economy. Productions that rely heavily on visual effects and digital doubles may now face increased pressure to negotiate clear terms regarding AI and scanning at the outset of contracts.
The vote signals that performers are no longer willing to accept vague or non-existent clauses concerning their digital selves. It pushes the issue of AI ethics from a theoretical future concern to an immediate point of negotiation. Industry producers and studios will need to engage seriously with Equity to establish frameworks that protect performers' rights while allowing technological innovation to continue.
This development marks a critical moment in the relationship between creative talent and digital technology in the UK, setting the stage for crucial negotiations that will define working practices for years to come.
