Voice Actors Strike Against AI Use in Video Games

Voice actors in the video game industry are striking against the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), arguing that it could replicate their voices without consent and threaten their job security. The union is calling for stronger protections, asserting that AI cannot replicate the distinct qualities that actors bring to their roles. 

The SAG-AFTRA union has initiated the strike in response to the growing use of AI in gaming. The actors claim that GenAI technology has reached a level where it can mimic their voices without their involvement, allowing their voices to be used in future games without permission and infringing on both their labor and creative rights.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director, SAG-AFTRA, emphasized that the lack of adequate protections against AI-related risks have been a major sticking point in the negotiations. There are concerns that AI could be trained on actors' voices and then used extensively, eliminating the need to hire original actors for new projects.

Ando Norris, an actor and member of the union's negotiating committee, pointed out that while AI technology advances, it still cannot match the nuanced performances delivered by human actors. "An actor's ability to infuse different nuances and emotions into their characters is something that AI, in its current form, cannot effectively replicate. Actors create a wide variety of characters with unique characteristics that are essential to a video game's narrative”, Norris said in an interview with ABC news. 

Another concern is the use of AI for visual character representation. Companies like Nvidia have developed tools such as Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) that create interactive avatars using AI, which can handle facial animations and voice recognition.

Representatives from the video game industry, including Audrey Cooling, assert that they have proposed measures to protect artists, such as increasing salaries for SAG-AFTRA members. Cooling stressed that the goal is to balance artists' protections with the benefits of advanced technology for enhancing the player experience.

Cooling also noted that the proposals include terms to ensure consent and fair compensation if AI or digital replication is used in video games, aiming to ensure that artists receive appropriate compensation for any digital use of their work.

Ray Rodriguez, head of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, pointed out that defining who qualifies as a "performer" is crucial. Rodriguez noted that not all movement artists are covered under current contracts, and some are treated as "data," raising concerns about adequate protection for all artists. 

Andrew Wilson, CEO, Electronic Arts (EA), has acknowledged the strike but downplayed its immediate impact. He noted that games already in development before September 2023 will not be affected in the short term, though continued strikes could delay releases planned for 2025 and 2026.