Concerns are arising among movie extras who fear that they may be replaced by AI. It has been reported that background actors have had to undergo face and body digital scans during TV and movie productions. These scans allow for the creation of digital replicas, which have become a contentious issue in the ongoing Hollywood strikes. One background actor, Alexandria Rubalcaba, shared her experience of being instructed to visit a tractor trailer after four weeks of working on the Disney+ series WandaVision. Alongside dozens of other actors, Rubalcaba underwent a series of camera scans that captured her face and body movements. However, she was not informed about the purpose or potential use of her digital avatar. Additionally, she expressed concerns about the future of background actors, fearing that AI will render their roles obsolete. The possibility of AI replacing background actors has become a central point of contention in the SAG-AFTRA strike, the largest labor dispute in Hollywood since the 1960s. Background actors, who are not part of the principal cast and primarily contribute to scene realism, have reported being caught off guard by the increasing requirement of body scans by studios.

Many actors felt pressured to comply and signed non-disclosure agreements due to fears of professional repercussions. The movie industry has a history of employing high-tech techniques to enhance films, such as using computer software to create large battle scenes. With advancing technology, including generative AI, which can synthesize data to create new content, AI-powered tools have emerged that can manipulate actors' performances, alter their appearances, and even create digital clones. This has caused concern among background actors, who worry about being the first to be made obsolete by AI. Industry professionals and academics have noted the potential budgetary advantages of using digital extras, as it could save substantial amounts of money typically spent on background actors' daily rates and expenses. The ongoing strikes have made AI usage a crucial point of negotiation for actors and writers, who are seeking to establish rules and fair compensation for their likeness being utilized through AI. While studios claim they will seek background actors' permission before using their digital replicas, the issue of consent is a point of contention, with union officials arguing for separate negotiations for each use. Despite the prevalence of these concerns, the situation remains uncertain for background actors as the proliferation of AI in the industry continues.