Voice Actor Ashly Burch Shares Concerns Over AI in Gaming...

Ashly Burch, renowned for her performance as Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn, has publicly voiced her concerns over a leaked Sony experiment which involved her character being voiced and performed by AI technology. The video, leaked by an anonymous source and later removed from YouTube, showcased an internal prototype not currently in production. Despite assurances from Horizon developer Guerilla that the technology is not in active development, Burch has expressed significant worries about the implications for the industry and the art form of game performance.

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The Leaked Sony Experiment

The video that sparked this controversy was initially shared with The Verge by an anonymous tipster before being removed from YouTube by a copyright enforcement company representing Sony PlayStation. The video demonstrated an internal prototype of AI technology voicing and performing Burch's character, Aloy. However, Guerilla, the Horizon developer, clarified that the technology is not currently in active development and did not use Burch's voice or facial data.

Implications for the Art Form

Burch's concerns extend beyond her personal career. She has expressed worry for the art form of game performance itself. With the advent of AI technology capable of mimicking human performance, the future of the industry and the role of human actors within it is uncertain. Burch's concerns echo the sentiments of many within the industry, highlighting the potential disruption AI could cause.

Industry Response and the SAG-AFTRA Strike

In response to the growing presence of AI in the industry, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing voice and performance actors, is currently on strike against video games. The strike is a call for protections against the potential displacement of human actors by AI technology. The union is seeking safeguards to ensure the continued relevance and importance of human performance in video games.