Actress Ashly Burch Discusses AI Character Aloy in Horizon Video Produced by Sony
Rewritten Article:
Take a peek at the buzz surrounding gaming this week. A tantalizing video popped up, featuring Aloy, the captivating character from PlayStation's famous Horizon series, replicated using groundbreaking AI technology. However, this AI Aloy boasts a robotic tone, differing greatly from the human voice actor Ashly Burch who's been lending her voice for years.
Despite not using Aloy's facial or vocal data, and Guerrilla informing Burch it was just a test demo, she couldn't help but express concerns about the future of game performance as an art form. In a heartfelt post, she delves into the ongoing struggle of voice actors for AI-related rights, such as the right to approve AI versions of their performances and know their replicas' usage.
Here's the video that sparked the discussion:
The genAI Aloy is seen interacting with Sony Interactive's software engineering director, Sharwan Raghiebardajal, providing in-game information about nearby beasts and their weak points. Most of this data can be easily obtained through regular gameplay—you can scan creatures to learn about them, and the in-game glossary is always handy when you need a reminder.
The video comes during an expanding movement among major publishers to adopt AI technology, seeing it as a promising stepping stone in game development. The SAG-AFTRA voiced actor strike, documenting its first anniversary soon, has been in stalemate with companies like WB Games and Take-Two, resolute in adopting AI to develop voice replicas.
This artificial Aloy embodies the apprehensions of voice actors: Sony and Guerrilla hold the rights to Horizon, allowing them the power to manipulate Aloy's likeness and voice without consulting Burch about specifics. If extended to voice performances, this raises alarm bells. Her chief worry is for less protected actors severely impacted by this, as she laments, "It bruises my heart. I adore this industry and this artistic expression, and I wish for a thriving generation of actors and a myriad of extraordinary game performances. I yearn to continue in this role, but if we don't prevail, the future I envision is at risk."
At press time, Sony is mum on the demo video and the potential adoption of AI in their PlayStation lineup. However, in the absence of words, their silence may hold potent implications.
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Enrichment Data:
Despite SAG-AFTRA's efforts to secure stricter AI protections, negotiations with major game publishers are at a standstill. The union is worried about the latest proposal, feeling it contains "alarming loopholes" that threaten voice actors' rights. The union's concerns focus on lack of clear consent, fair compensation, and safeguards against AI exploitation[1][2][3].
In the proposed contract, publishers aim to utilize past performances and any performances sourced externally without protections. This means they want the right to create AI versions of voice actors' performances without seeking their consent or compensating them[1][2][4]. The publishers also aim to use AI replicas during strikes without the actors' approval[1][2][4].
Since July 2024, over 160 games have signed interim agreements that include the protections SAG-AFTRA is advocating. These agreements have resulted in better earnings compared to non-struck games[2][3]. Despite this progress, SAG-AFTRA encourages unity among its members and urges them not to undercut the strike by working without the agreed-upon protections[3][4].
- The video of the AI Aloy, a character from the popular Horizon series on PlayStation, has sparked a discussion about the future of voice acting in games.
- Ashly Burch, the voice actor for Aloy, expressed concerns over the use of AI technology in game performance, fearing potential exploitation of voice actors' rights.
- SAG-AFTRA, the union representing voice actors, is currently in negotiations with major game publishers over AI protections, concerned about alarming loopholes in the latest proposal.
- The AI-generated Aloy seen in the video interacts with Sony Interactive's software engineering director, demonstrating how AI technology may be increasingly used in game development by major publishers.
