Zachary Berger
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zacharyberger.bsky.social
Zachary Berger
@zacharyberger.bsky.social
4.9K followers 580 following 370 posts
Lead Creature Designer - Avatar The Way Of Water, Avatar Fire and Ash

Past: Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Fox, Universal, WB, Legendary, Sony Santa Monica, etc.

https://linktr.ee/artofzachary
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zacharyberger.bsky.social
Reminder: they're STILL taking all of our work + we STILL need (especially Cali) signatures on the petition supporting Bill AB412 - the AI Copyright Transparency Act.

TLDR= this'll require transparency about what's in AI datasets!

Signing takes 1 min. Once done, PLEASE SHARE!! tinyurl.com/4uxbp963
October 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
AND WE GOT AN EPIC NEW POSTER by the one and only Dylan Cole!! This one is going on my wall!!

I don't think Dylan is on bluesky, but please go follow him over on IG (@dylancoleart) if you don't already!
September 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Friends (esp if you live in CA) we REALLY need signatures on this petition supporting Bill AB412 - the AI Copyright Transparency Act.

TLDR = this will require AI corps to be transparent about what is in their datasets!

Signing takes 1 min. Once you sign, PLEASE SHARE!! tinyurl.com/4uxbp963
August 13, 2025 at 6:45 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Hey #avatarsky! I will be participating as a guest judge for your Avatar-themed art for this year's Avatar Day fan event on August 21! A bit nervous, because I know how many incredible artists there are out there in the community! Hit the link to find out more! avatar-day-event.webflow.io
August 8, 2025 at 6:12 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Hey #avatarsky - let’s have some fun: please reply to this post with shares / screenshots of your favorite (positive) #AvatarFireAndAsh trailer takes - I wanna see ‘em!

(I’m not on X any more, so I feel like I may be missing out on some fun ones…)
July 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Horrible! Thanks for spreading the word on this! There's a bill in CA that, if it survives, will require AI corps to be transparent about what work they trained on, which they REALLY don't want to do! It could use support, starting with more signatures here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/le...
July 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Friends, they AI corps REALLY don't want to have to tell us if they trained on our work. Want to help change that? PLEASE sign and share this petition - it'll seriously take you 1 minute. actionnetwork.org/petitions/le...
July 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Calling all #avatarsky and #Avatar fans! The first trailer for #AvatarFireAndAsh has been *officially* confirmed to be in front of #Fantastic4 this weekend! Hope you can make it, you’re in for a fun ride! 🔥
July 21, 2025 at 9:31 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
KEEP CALLING YOUR SENATORS ABOUT THE AI REGULATION BAN especially if you live in Florida, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alaska, or Maine! IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER!! Instructions on how to call and script ideas of what to say in the below thread.
CBS NEWS Senate begins marathon vote series on Trump's "big, beautiful bill" as GOP eyes July 4 deadline Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, warned Sunday that the legislation would be a "political albatross" for Republicans, while suggesting that the bill could even lose support among the GOP, saying "it's not over until it's over."
June 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
KEEP CALLING YOUR SENATORS ABOUT THE AI REGULATION BAN especially if you live in Florida, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alaska, or Maine! IT’S WORKING!! Instructions on how to call and script ideas of what to say in the below thread.
Republican doubts: The Al moratorium has divided Republicans. A group of GOP senators, including Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Josh Hawley of Missouri and others, sent a letter to Thune on Wednesday urging the removal of the moratorium language, according to a person familiar with the matter. "States should not be punished for trying to protect their citizens from the harms of AI," Blackburn said in a post on X on Thursday. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said he is concerned about the scope of the provision…
June 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Don't let Mr. Cruz tell your state how it should govern. Please call your senators - especially if you live in Florida, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alaska, or Maine. Instructions on how to call and script ideas of what to say in the below thread.
June 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
The house version had just a *literal 10 year ban on any and all AI regulation*, then - to pass the parliamentarian - it was altered by Cruz in the senate to be “your state must comply with the 10 year ban or it doesn’t get a whole bunch of money for broadband”. Current language attached:
Section _00012. Support for artificial intelligence under the broadband equity, access, and deployment program. This section would provide $500 million to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information for Fiscal Year 2025 to carry out the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This section would allow BEAD funding to be used to construct and deploy infrastructure for the provision of artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems. Lastly, this section would require that no funds made available to carry out this section may be obligated to an eligible entity (re: a State) or a political subdivision of such entity that receives funds under this section unless such entity temporarily pauses the enforcement of any law or regulation of that entity or political subdivision that limits, restricts, or otherwise regulates artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems entered into interstate commerce over the next 10 years. Such pause would not apply to a law or regulation that: • Has a primary purpose and effect of removing legal impediments to or facilitate the deployment of such models or systems, • Has a primary purpose and effect of streamlining licensing, permitting, routing, zoning, procurement, or reporting procedures in a manner that facilitates the adoption of such models or systems, • Does not impose any substantive design, performance, data-handling, documentation, civil liability, taxation, fee, or other requirement on such models or systems unless such requirement is imposed by Federal law or imposed under a generally applicable law, • Does not impose a fee or bond unless (1) such fee or bond is reasonable and cost-based; and (2) under such fee or bond such models or systems are treated in the same manner as other models and systems that perform comparable functions.
June 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
I probably should have used the "states' rights" talking point in my initial script, especially for red state senators. Here is an updated script with that implemented. Use it if its helpful, or say it in your own words: 4/
“The AI regulation ban in the budget reconciliation bill destroys federalism and takes away states’ rights. Let each state decide how they want to handle this issue, we do not need the federal government telling the states how to govern. Studies show that AI may eliminate many middle class jobs in the next few years. Removing the ability to regulate AI at a state level would reduce lawmakers' ability to put reasonable rules in place to help prevent this. If we eliminate all AI regulation, we would destroy protections for things like deepfakes, non-consensual AI generated sexual material, AI insurance denials, AI-driven employment discrimination and more. Please make sure the section in the budget reconciliation bill banning Al regulation is removed.”
June 27, 2025 at 1:38 AM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
I probably should have used the "states' rights" talking point in my initial script, especially for red state senators. Here is an updated script with that implemented. Use it if its helpful, or say it in your own words:
“The AI regulation ban in the budget reconciliation bill destroys federalism and takes away states’ rights. Let each state decide how they want to handle this issue, we do not need the federal government telling the states how to govern. Studies show that AI may eliminate many middle class jobs in the next few years. Removing the ability to regulate AI at a state level would reduce lawmakers' ability to put reasonable rules in place to help prevent this. If we eliminate all AI regulation, we would destroy protections for things like deepfakes, non-consensual AI generated sexual material, AI insurance denials, AI-driven employment discrimination and more. Please make sure the section in the budget reconciliation bill banning Al regulation is removed.”
June 27, 2025 at 1:37 AM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Yes, I probably should have used the states' rights talking point in my script. Here's an updated script. Use if its helpful, or say it in your own words:
“The AI regulation ban in the budget reconciliation bill destroys federalism and takes away states’ rights. Let each state decide how they want to handle this issue, we do not need the federal government telling the states how to govern. Studies show that AI may eliminate many middle class jobs in the next few years. Removing the ability to regulate AI at a state level would reduce lawmakers' ability to put reasonable rules in place to help prevent this. If we eliminate all AI regulation, we would destroy protections for things like deepfakes, non-consensual AI generated sexual material, AI insurance denials, AI-driven employment discrimination and more. Please make sure the section in the budget reconciliation bill banning Al regulation is removed.”
June 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Use this link, put in your info, you will get a call that connects you with each of your senators: act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...
Once you are connected, try to talk to a staffer. Feel free to use this script, if you like, or say it in your own words. Please do it NOW. It'll take you 5 minutes. 2/
“Studies show that AI may eliminate many middle class jobs in the next few years. Removing the ability to regulate AI at a state level would reduce lawmakers ability to put reasonable rules in place to help prevent this. If we eliminate all AI regulation, we would destroy protections for things like deepfakes, non-consensual AI generated sexual material, AI insurance denials, AI-driven employment discrimination and more. Please make sure the section in the budget reconciliation bill banning Al regulation is removed.”
June 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
The US ban on state AI regulation may be voted on in the senate very soon. If you live in one of these states - FL, MO, TX, TN, WI, AK, ME - please call your senators & ask them to remove the "state AI regulation ban" in the budget reconciliation bill NOW! Link to call & what to say in next post 1/
June 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Tech CEOs saying the loud part out loud. Seems like maybe we shouldn’t take away the ability to regulate AI? Call your senators and ask them to remove the AI regulation ban in the budget reconciliation bill!

Don’t know who to call or what to say? Use my cheat sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
May 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
CALL YOUR SENATORS!! The AI regulation ban in the budget reconciliation bill made it out of the house, but this is far from over! Even some red state senators are showing signs of opposition! Don't know what to say or who to call? Use my cheat sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
May 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
If they’re like “What!!? I didn’t even know that was in there? What section are you referring to?” The section is:

TITLE IV - ENERGY AND COMMERCE (Part 2: Artificial Intelligence Section - (c) moratorium)

Here’s the “energy and commerce” pages linked: d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Subtitle_C_C...
May 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
For those needing some help w 5calls.org, here’s a bit more detail:

-go to 5calls.org
-click “Stop the State AI Regulation Ban in the Budget Reconciliation Bill” issue
-set location by zip code
-it’ll take you to another page with the issue
-scroll down for the contacts of your 1 rep, 2 senators
May 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Sorry, couldn’t find @kortizart.bsky.social’s original post about it, but here it is screenshotted. The section is:

TITLE IV - ENERGY AND COMMERCE (Part II: AI Section, (c) Moratorium)

Here’s the “energy and commerce” section linked: d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Subtitle_C_C...
May 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Ah gotchya: “Stop the State AI Regulation Ban in the Budget Reconciliation Bill”. From my IG story about it —
May 15, 2025 at 5:26 AM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
Full statement here: iatse.net/three-us-pol... 2/2
3. IATSE Strongly Opposes Proposed Ban on State-Level AI Regulations Contained in House Republican Budget Reconciliation Package “We strongly oppose a provision in the House Republican budget reconciliation package that would impose a ten-year ban on enforcement or enactment of all state-level artificial intelligence (AI) policies. This proposal, again backed by tech billionaires and corporations, seeks to override the will of the American people for common-sense AI safeguards, transfer sole authority to a historically gridlocked and slow-moving Congress, and delete all existing state AI policy to make the wild west AI landscape even more lawless. So-called red states and blue states alike have been proactive in addressing the challenges posed by AI. For instance, Tennessee’s ELVIS Act protects artists from unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness reproductions. New York’s AI Bill of Rights aims to ensure transparency and accountability in automated decision-making. In just the 2024 legislative session alone, at least 31 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands adopted AI resolutions or enacted AI legislation. Ultimately these initiatives demonstrate the critical role state-level policies play in safeguarding workers and consumers in the evolving AI landscape. The proposed federal preemption threatens the jobs of behind-the-scenes entertainment workers and undermines the integrity of the American film, television, animation, gaming, and broader entertainment sectors. As of today, the House budget reconciliation bill is a proposal, but we’re monitoring and there’s still time for us to push back, and for the bill to change. Removing the ban on state AI protections is one of many of IATSE’s key priorities with respect to the budget reconciliation package. We urge lawmakers to reject this overreach and support policies that uphold fairness, transparency, and respect for American jobs in the creative industries.” Full statement on IATSE.net
May 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
zacharyberger.bsky.social
A good statement by @iatse.bsky.social on all of this week's roller coaster of AI/copyright news. As an IATSE Union member who is very plugged in to this issue, I want to say thank you!! 1/2
1. Regarding the U.S. Copyright Office’s “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 3: Generative AI Training” Report: “We commend the U.S. Copyright Office’s recent release of Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 3: Generative AI Training. The report states that AI training is not categorically fair use and that fair use determinations depend on context and degree. This aligns with well-established case law, including the recent Supreme Court decision in Warhol v. Goldsmith... The report concludes that “making commercial use of vast troves of copyrighted works to produce expressive content that competes with them in existing markets, especially where this is accomplished through illegal access, goes beyond established fair use boundaries.” This finding echoes IATSE’s position that tech billionaires and AI developers cannot circumvent established U.S. copyright law and commit intellectual property theft by scraping the internet for copyrighted works to train their models without permission from rightsholders. The theft of copyrighted works – domestically and internationally – threatens our hard-won health care benefits and retirement security. 2. IATSE Questions Legality of the Administration’s Attempt to Fire Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office Shira Perlmutter “IATSE is deeply concerned by the Trump Administration’s attempt to dismiss Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, just one day after the release of a report on the use of copyrighted materials to train generative AI models... In this case, Perlmutter’s termination does not appear lawful or legitimate because Perlmutter is an employee of the legislative branch, not the executive. This is a developing situation, and whether in fact Perlmutter’s firing was in retaliation for releasing the AI report is unclear. However, it wouldn’t surprise us to learn that tech billionaires are wielding their influence to interfere in our government for their own financial benefit. Shira Perlmutter has served with distinction as Register of Copyrights and she must be reinstated at the behest of Congress.”
May 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM