Video game actors to strike in California [Video]

Hollywood’s video game actors will go on strike early Friday to demand safeguards against artificial intelligence, the US actors’ union announced.

The work stoppage for the industry’s video game voice actors and motion capture performers begins at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) in California, according to the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Thursday’s announcement comes after more than a year and a half of fruitless negotiations between the union and several video game giants including Activision, Disney, Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Games.

“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, star of 1990s sitcom “The Nanny,” said in a statement.

“When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to …