Last updated on February 13, 2024
Levon Campbell III
Staff Writer
Following the historic SAG-AFTRA strike, which ended on Nov. 9, 2023, the actors’ union made an unexpected deal with Replicant Records to use artificial intelligence for voice acting on Jan. 9, particularly in video games. The news has shocked and brought up a lot of confusion among video game actors and players.
According to www.BBC.com, SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, said its deal with Replica Studios was negotiated by a committee that included actors with significant and diverse experience performing in games. “The contract was specifically tailored to the needs of voice actors, ensuring informed consent and proper compensation terms that are unique to this set of performers,” The deal claimed.
The new deal with Replica Studios comes after SAG-AFTRA led a months-long strike in 2023 to fight for protection from film and television studios using AI. The union claimed the strike was successful, and this new agreement follows that. However, some voice actors have expressed confusion and anger over the deal, which appears to contradict the original intent of the strike.
Prominent voice actors claim they weren’t told about this deal and are furious with their union, with one calling it “garbage.” The union promises “fully informed consent and fair compensation” but voice artists are still wary, fearing it will take away their jobs.
“Apex Legends” voice actor Erika Ishii expressed how she felt on Twitter. “Approved by … WHO exactly?? Was any one of the ‘affected members’ who signed off on this a working voice actor?” She stated.
“Starfield” and “Assassin’s Creed” voice actor Elias Toufexis shared similar concerns, writing: “I would humbly consider myself one of the top voice actors working in games. No one asked me about this. No one reached out for my opinion.”
Lastly, “Fallout and Mortal Kombat” voice actor Sunil Malhotra said he “sacrificed to strike half of last year to keep my profession alive, not shop around my AI replica”.
Meredith Hairston, WJSU and The Sipp FM program director, recently discussed the influence and implications of AI on the entertainment industry.
“To put it frankly, AI is here, for better or for worse. As a voice-over actor, protection and compensation will always be top of mind. However, it’s a catch-22. The industry has embraced the beauty of such technologies, such as AI, while simultaneously harming the integrity of the artist’s craft,” Hairston stated.
According to SAG-AFTRA, the agreement with Replica Studios outlines terms and conditions for AI-generated voices in video games. This includes the requirement for AI firm Replica Studios to get consent from actors before using AI-generated voices based on their likeness, as well as giving voice actors the ability to deny their voice being used indefinitely without their consent.
According to www.BBC.com, SAG-AFTRA said the deal was approved by affected members of the union’s voiceover performer community.
Jackson State University students are voicing their disappointment after SAG-AFTRA’s recent agreement with AI firm Replica Studios following its months-long strike in 2023 to protect against a takeover of the voice acting industry by AIs. The students are concerned for the jobs of those who have made a career out of their voices and feel that the union has betrayed its promises and the actors it was designed to protect.
Jayln Brown, a junior E-sports player from Canton, Miss., expressed feeling confused and upset by the news and felt like that it just missed the point of what the actor’s strike was all about.
“The whole point of the strike was to put a stand against this whole idea of AI interfering and changing how the writers, actors, and voice actors operate in the making of movies, shows, and games, not to mention the much-needed changes to the problems they face as well,” Brown stated. “This whole thing feels like a big slap to the face, especially since a voice actor like Steven Blum said that he wasn’t behind this at all, all of this just feels like an example of it’s alright because it doesn’t affect us specifically.”
Henri Pegues, a senior journalism major from Clinton, Miss., felt disappointed about the news and explained how he didn’t like that this meant that some people might be out of a job.
“It blows because I don’t think that should happen because it puts a lot of people out of work,” Pegues stated.
In the end, there are potential negative impacts of relying heavily on AI within creative industries and other areas where human beings are employed. While AI technology holds immense promise for productivity and cost-effectiveness, we must also consider the implications for artists and content creators as well as the potential effects on job security within these fields.
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