AI Voice Cloning Is Here To Stay, But How Does That Affect The Voice Acting Industry?

Voice acting in video games has come a long way. What began with simple text-based dialogue has since evolved into fully integrated performances with depth and emotion. However, recent advancements in AI have introduced a new era. Naturally, it has presented both opportunities and ethical challenges for voice actors and game developers.

Expanding Possibilities And Efficiency

The emergence of AI in video game development holds exciting promise. It opens the door to a world where virtual realms teem with an endless array of characters, each boasting their own distinct voice and personality. This not only elevates the immersive quality of gameplay but also simplifies the development journey, cutting down on both time and expenses.

With the help of AI-driven tools, devs can effortlessly generate dialogue for characters, refine audio recordings, and even tweak voices to fit various contexts. This grants them unprecedented flexibility and creative freedom. Voice actors don’t match their enthusiasm though. While some perceive AI as a potential threat to their livelihoods, others view it as an opportunity for growth and exploration.

Figures like Andy Magee are a prime example. He has embraced AI-powered voice cloning as a means to delve into a diverse roster of characters and narratives. For actors like him, technology serves as a tool to augment their craft. It enables them to scale new heights and explore uncharted territories in their careers, rather than replacing their unique talents entirely. Though I do admit it feels like a massive sell-out.

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.” – Andy Magee

Balancing Innovation With Actor Rights

The rise of AI in gaming comes with a slew of ethical dilemmas. One big concern is how it affects the rights of voice actors. Using their voices without permission to make deepfakes or AI copies is a serious breach of their rights and identity. Imagine someone taking your face and putting it on someone else’s body without asking – it’s not okay. Stuff like this not only hurts their work but also leaves them vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

Plus, the more AI voices pop up, the more it could push human actors out of the picture. If companies start using AI because it’s cheaper, it could mean fewer jobs for real people. No new voice actors would be able to enter the field either. This raises a big question about how much we value human creativity in a world where machines are doing more and more.

What the actual ****. https://t.co/Pqw7M10leZ pic.twitter.com/q6IkN4iBrS

— Shike (@xShike_) April 17, 2024

Industry Responses

Organizations such as SAG-AFTRA have taken some steps to address the ethical implications of AI in gaming. Recent agreements with AI voice companies like Replica Studios indicate a willingness to find common ground. However, I should note that the Voice Actors’ Guild did not approve of the decision and wasn’t informed about it beforehand either.

Additionally, the emergence of hybrid AI licenses, pioneered by companies like Speechless, represents a significant advancement in addressing these issues. These licenses empower actors to have more say in how their AI counterparts are used, ensuring that their rights are respected and that they receive proper compensation for their work. But again, they’ve yet to be properly tested.

Excuse me? With all due respect…you state in the article “Approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.” Nobody in our community approved this that I know of. Games are the bulk of my livelihood and have been for years. Who are you referring to?

— Steve Blum (@blumspew) January 9, 2024

Voice Actors’ Perspective On AI

When it comes to AI in gaming, voice actors have mixed feelings. Some, like Sarah Elmaleh, known for roles such as the Cube Queen from Fortnite, see the upside of AI if it’s used responsibly. But others, like Amelia Tyler and Neil Newbon, the Narrator, and Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3 respectively, worry about what it means for their work and income.

They’re concerned about their voices being used without permission and how AI might miss the subtleties and creativity they bring to their performances. These different views highlight the clash between technology and art in gaming. I happen to agree with their concerns, mainly because I’ve yet to see an AI voice model outperform a human actor. The way things are going though, it might be sooner rather than later.

Baldur's Gate 3 actors tear into AI voice cloning: "That is stealing not just my job but my identity." https://t.co/zQ51AuVcr1

— PC Gamer (@pcgamer) April 13, 2024

Navigating The Future Of Voice Acting In Gaming

The rise of AI voices in video games is a big deal for the gaming world. It’s not just about making games cooler – it’s also about doing what’s right. While AI can totally change how stories are told and how games are played, we can’t ignore the moral side of things. As technology gets better, it’s important for everyone in the industry to team up and set some ground rules.

By making sure everyone’s on the same page – respecting each other, getting permission, and working together – the gaming world can move forward in a way that celebrates the art of voice acting while also taking advantage of the cool stuff AI can do. It’s all about making games that are awesome while being fair to those who help make it.