Ashly Burch, the voice behind Aloy in the Horizon series, recently addressed a leaked AI video featuring her character. The video, which surfaced last week and was reported by The Verge, showcased Sony's technology for AI-powered characters. In the now-deleted footage, Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, engaged in a conversation with an AI version of Aloy, demonstrating the capabilities of AI-generated speech and facial animations. Despite the technological showcase, the voice and facial expressions of AI Aloy did not match Burch's original performance, appearing robotic and stiff.
Burch took to TikTok to express her concerns, confirming that she had seen the video and had been reassured by Horizon developer Guerrilla that the demo was not indicative of any active development or use of her performance data. This clarification suggests that the AI technology will not be used for the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game or the anticipated Horizon 3, though Sony retains ownership of the Aloy character.
The AI Aloy video prompted Burch to voice broader concerns about the future of game performance as an art form, particularly in light of the ongoing voice actors' strike. The strike, led by SAG-AFTRA, aims to secure protections against the unauthorized use of AI in replicating actors' performances. Burch emphasized the need for consent, fair compensation, and transparency in how AI doubles are used, highlighting the potential risks to actors' careers if these protections are not established.
The voice actors' strike has already impacted several high-profile games, with unvoiced NPCs appearing in titles like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, and recasting in games such as League of Legends and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Burch stressed her support for the strike and the importance of interim union contracts that offer the protections the actors are seeking.
Generative AI remains a contentious issue within the gaming and entertainment industries, facing criticism over ethical and rights concerns, as well as the quality of AI-generated content. Despite some failures, such as Keywords Studios' experimental AI game, companies like Activision continue to explore AI's potential in game development. Asad Qizilbash from PlayStation Studios highlighted the importance of AI for younger audiences seeking personalized gaming experiences.
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