‘Peppa Pig’ Is Currently Causing Concern With AI Clauses in Its Contracts for Child Actors

The backlash against artificial intelligence continues at a fast and furious pace, as more people become concerned about AI’s effects on job creation, the economy, the environment, and practically everything else. Whether one is a hater of this technology or a proponent, though, the idea of entertainment studios requesting that child actors sign over their voices or images to AI should concern everyone.

According to Deadline, this is precisely what entertainment giant Hasbro is alleged to be doing with child actors on Peppa Pig, the hit children’s franchise it took over in 2019.

Industry sources shared with Deadline that AI clauses in the contracts of child actors in film and TV projects are becoming more common. However, according to an open letter organized by the Agents of Young Performers Association, which over 1,500 people have already signed, the alleged terms for Peppa Pig are particularly concerning.

What Does the Open Letter Say?

The open letter states in part:

…a major studio who owns the IP for an international children’s franchise producing a long running animated television series has offered contracts to child voice actors insisting that they agree to the use of AI thus allowing them to use the child’s voice in all commercial assets within their franchise. The refusal to remove this clause with an attitude of ‘take it or leave it’ has led us write this letter to make it clear that this will not be accepted and to bring this matter to the attention of the wider industry.

The letter continues by pointing out that children can’t fully and legally consent to such terms. Additionally, it states that parents or guardians shouldn’t be able to grant a blanket license for a child’s voice or image.

While the letter doesn’t identify the major studio or long-running animated franchise, industry sources who spoke to Deadline said it refers to Hasbro and Peppa Pig.

The letter also doesn’t go into the specifics of the clause. However, given that it states this use of AI will allow the use of a child actor’s voice for all commercial assets associated with the franchise, one can presume that cloning the voice is involved.

What Was Hasbro’s Response to the ‘Peppa Pig’ AI Allegations?

A Hasbro spokesperson stated in response to the open letter, as reported by Deadline, “We are not able to comment on specific negotiations or contractual arrangements. The protection of child performers is core to who Hasbro is, it’s part of our DNA. As industry standards around AI continue to evolve, we are committed to engaging with this issue in a responsible and transparent manner.”

(feature image: Hasbro)

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