People weirded out by Sean Penn's reaction to studio execs exploiting actors with the use of AI

Sean Penn has raised some concerns after he weighed in on the AI debate.

The SAG-AFTRA strike continues to dominate the news in Hollywood, with actors demanding fair pay across the board and the protection of their image and voice.

Under the proposals put forward, their faces can be scanned and their likeness used and manipulated by AI forever without paying the actors.

Explaining the deal, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, chief negotiator for the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, said: “They propose that our background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day’s pay and their company should own that scan, their image, their likeness, and to be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want with no consent and no compensation."

David Livingston/Getty Images

And now, Penn has come out in defense of his union and fellow actors, who he says are only asking for a fair deal.

Speaking to Variety, the 63-year-old offered a rather interesting analogy.

Describing how he would pitch his deal to movie execs, Penn said: "So you want my scans and voice data and all that.

"OK, here's what I think is fair: I want your daughter's, because I want to create a virtual replica of her and invite my friends over to do whatever we want in a virtual party right now.

"Would you please look at the camera and tell me you think that's cool?"

He went on: "It's not about business, it's an indecent proposal. That they would do that and not be taken to task for it is insulting.

"This is a real exposé on morality — a lack of morality."

Excuse me, what's that, Sean?

Sonia Recchia

As you can imagine, the rather vivid picture painted by the actor has confused a lot of people.

Taking to social media, one user said: "Sean Penn is going to Sean Penn, I guess.

"Christ, what a weird thing to say."

Another commented: "Sean Penn being insufferable and saying weird s**t is like you or I breathing oxygen."

While someone else added: "I love Sean Penn’s ability to always have the right opinion in the worst way."

Topics: US News, Film and TV, Entertainment, SAG-AFTRA Writers Strike

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom