Bryan Cranston, SAG‑AFTRA say OpenAI is taking Sora 2 deepfake issues seriously
When Sora 2 hit the market last month, it set off a nervous buzz in Hollywood. Actors, studios, agents and even SAG-AFTRA started asking, “Will we end up in a synthetic video we never signed for?” Bryan Cranston’s name showed up in a joint statement that also featured OpenAI and a handful of other industry voices. The note says OpenAI is taking the deep-fake worries “seriously,” but it’s still unclear what concrete actions will follow.
On one hand, the tech looks slick - you can see the uncanny realism in the demos. On the other, the actors’ unease hints at a bigger clash between new creative tools and personal rights. The partnership seems to suggest OpenAI is ready to talk, yet the mitigation plan remains vague at best.
We’re all watching, because whatever OpenAI decides now could end up shaping the rules for AI-generated visual content for years to come.
Actors, studios, agents, and the actors union SAG-AFTRA have all expressed their concerns about appearing in Sora 2’s AI-generated videos ever since the deepfake machine was released last month. Now a joint statement from actor Bryan Cranston, OpenAI, the union, and others says that after videos of him appeared on Sora — one even showed him taking a selfie with Michael Jackson — the company has “strengthened guardrails” around its opt-in policy for likeness and voice. Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA say OpenAI is taking their deepfake concerns seriously The Breaking Bad actor never opted in to appear on OpenAI’s video sharing app Sora, yet videos of him definitely showed up.
The Breaking Bad actor never opted in to appear on OpenAI’s video sharing app Sora, yet videos of him definitely showed up. The joint statement said that OpenAI “expressed regret for these unintentional generations.” It also carried cosigns from talent agencies United Talent Agency, the Association of Talent Agents, and the Creative Artists Agency, which had criticized the company’s lack of protections for artists in the past.
When Sora 2 slipped Bryan Cranston’s face into AI-made clips, his name popped back into the news. The actor and SAG-AFTRA both sounded uneasy about deepfakes spreading through studios, agencies and unions. OpenAI replied with a joint statement, saying it has tightened the “guardrails” around its opt-in policy for voice and likeness.
Exactly how much tighter those safeguards are is still fuzzy. The release mentions stronger controls, but it doesn’t spell out any verification steps or how enforcement will work. Actors are probably left wondering if future releases will actually honor the same limits.
SAG-AFTRA’s involvement shows a shared worry, yet the union hasn’t laid out its next moves. The rest of the industry is watching, hoping the new policy will really curb unauthorized uses.
So, OpenAI says it’s adjusting things and everyone seems to agree protection is needed. Whether the revised guardrails will truly curb deepfake creation, or just add another bureaucratic layer, remains uncertain. I expect the situation will keep shifting as more AI-generated content reaches the public.
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Common Questions Answered
What specific concerns did Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise about Sora 2?
Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA expressed unease about actors' likenesses appearing in Sora 2's AI-generated deepfake videos without consent. Their concerns were amplified after a video surfaced showing Cranston taking a selfie with Michael Jackson, highlighting the potential for unauthorized use of actor personas.
How did OpenAI respond to the backlash regarding Sora 2's deepfake capabilities?
OpenAI issued a joint statement with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and other stakeholders acknowledging the concerns. The company stated it has strengthened guardrails around its opt-in policy for voice and likeness to address the proliferation of unauthorized deepfakes.
What remains unclear about OpenAI's strengthened safeguards for Sora 2?
The announcement lacks specific details about the verification mechanisms for the tightened opt-in policy. While OpenAI cites strengthened controls, the exact nature and effectiveness of these new guardrails have not been publicly disclosed.
Which stakeholders are involved in the joint statement addressing Sora 2 deepfakes?
The joint statement brings together actor Bryan Cranston, OpenAI, the actors union SAG-AFTRA, and other concerned parties. This collaboration represents a unified response from the entertainment industry and the technology creator to the deepfake issues.