The use of detailed body scans on actors is quickly becoming an unignorable topic as artificial intelligence steps into the spotlight of film and TV production. Olivia Williams raises a crucial point that echoes the industry’s own past battles—for example, the hard-won nudity riders—which put boundaries around the use of sensitive material. Now, with AI’s ability to replicate a performer’s likeness in infinitely many scenarios, the stakes have risen from a single scene to a lifetime of representation across unknown platforms.
The uneasy position many performers find themselves in—being asked to submit to scans with little clarity or negotiation—reveals a systemic imbalance. The contract clauses granting studios perpetual and universe-wide rights to likeness data tailor a one-way street in favor of the producers, leaving artists vulnerable. It’s not just about money; it’s about agency and integrity. Would you want your digital double starring in sequels you never signed up for or endorsing products you don’t support?
Legal frameworks haven’t caught up, leaving the industry to “make up the law as they go,” as Williams puts it. That’s a red flag. For innovation to truly thrive, it has to be coupled with respect and protections for the people whose talent fuels it. Negotiations like those between Equity and Pact offer hope that transparency and consent can take center stage, setting standards that empower performers rather than sideline them.
For the broader public and technology enthusiasts, this conversation reminds us that the rush to embrace AI in creative fields must be tempered with thoughtful consideration of ethical, legal, and human elements. It’s tempting to marvel at AI’s ability to create stunning visuals and performances, but without clear boundaries, we risk commodifying identity itself. Actors are not just digital assets—they are individuals deserving control over their own image.
So, as exciting as AI-powered digitization is, let’s think critically about who holds the remote control. Because the future of acting may well be part human, part machine—hopefully with the human part still holding the script. Source: Olivia Williams says actors need ‘nudity rider’-type controls for AI body scans
