SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with AI voice technology company Replica Studios that will allow voice actor members to “safely create and license a digital replica of their voice.” Voice actors responded with confusion and outrage, stating that this would affect their livelihood and that no one ever approved of this agreement. [Thanks, Metro!]
The agreement with Replica Studios will allow voice actors to license a digital voice replica that can later be used in game development and other media projects. According to SAG-AFTRA's website, this will allow AAA video game studios and other companies to access SAG-AFTRA talent via Replica. This is, according to the statement, “an important step towards the ethical use of AI voices.”
Though SAG-AFTRA claims that “affected members of the union’s voice-over performer community” approved of this agreement, it appears that many video game voice actors did not actually get a choice in this decision. Steve Blum (Spike in Cowboy Bebop and the most prolific video game voice actor in 2012) stated that he didn’t know anyone who approved of this. Khoi Dao (Albedo in Genshin Impact) jokingly voiced his disapproval by asking, “Did your wife leave you for a voice actor?” Veronica Taylor (Ash in Pokemon) also asked why studios wanted to use an AI replica instead of hiring the actual actor. Many other voice actors have reacted negatively either under the Tweet or through a QRT.
SAG-AFTRA has responded in a statement to GameCentral stating that this deal will only be with one company (Replica) and it sets the groundwork for future ethical usage of AI.
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