1 year, 1 month ago

Some video game actors are letting AI clone their voices, but do not want to be replaced

If you are battling a video game goblin who speaks with a Cockney accent, or asking a gruff Scottish blacksmith to forge a virtual sword, you might be hearing the voice of actor Andy Magee. “I hadn’t really anticipated AI voices to be my break into the industry, but, alas, I was offered paid voice work, and I was grateful for any experience I could get at the time,” said Magee, who grew up in Northern Ireland and has previously worked as a craft brewery manager, delivery driver and farmer. Most of the big studios haven't yet employed AI voices in a noticeable way and are still in ongoing negotiations on how to use them with Hollywood’s actors union, which also represents game performers. The agreement — which SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher described as "a great example of AI being done right” — enables major studios to work with unionized actors to create and license a digital replica of their voice. “Everyone says they’re doing it with ethics in mind,” but most are not and some are training their AI systems with voice data pulled off the internet without the speaker's permission, said Replica Studios CEO Shreyas Nivas.

The Hindu

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