SAG-AFTRA Draws Laughs and Criticism for Green-Lighting AI Voices in the Video Gaming World
“SAG-AFTRA called out for approving AI voices for video games”
“Despite techno-utopian dreams of AI that can act or sing like a human, the actual technology is far from achieving such a feat. Instead, companies are co-opting the hard work and talent of actual performers by using AI to mimic their voices. Ironically, union SAG-AFTRA, which is meant to protect these performers, approved an agreement that allows the use of AIs with realistic human voices,” reads the article from Daily AI dated January 2024.
Let’s sit back and soak that in for a moment, shall we? The performer’s union, SAG-AFTRA, seemingly with a bump on its head, has given the green light for video game producers to use AI voices that bear an uncanny resemblance to the human voice. So basically, strict union contracts that protected actors from working late, being underpaid, or exploited in any way have now paved the way for digital imitations. Does it not make you wonder where on the irony scale this ranks?
Interestingly, rather than viewing AI as a threat, SAG-AFTRA considers the technology an ally. Unfortunately, the ‘allyship’ tends to underscore performers’ expendability, highlighting the simple fact: in the tech world, we are all replaceable. Sound like an episode from the dark comedy series “Black Mirror?” You’re not alone!
Proponents of AI argue that the technology does not necessarily spell doom and gloom for game voice actors. The suggestion is that these AI voices will be useful in areas where human voices are hard to get, like high-risk locations or situations; think disasters, wars, and the like. Yet, this looks more like a poor justification as opposed to a genuine concern for actor safety. Because let’s face it, how often do we find video game voice recordings happening in the middle of war zones?
Make no mistake; this is not an attack on technology. The fact is, AI is fantastic and has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of life and work. However, it appears that the good folks at SAG-AFTRA might have been a tad hasty in opening this Pandora’s box. How about focusing more on nurturing and protecting the human element in the industry, instead of rushing to replace it?
When one looks past the silver lining, it’s hard to believe that the very union tasked with safeguarding the interests of game voice actors is blurring the lines between artificial and human talent. In the quest to keep up with the pace of technology, have they taken a step too far? Time will indeed tell, but for now, SAG-AFTRA seems to have scored an own goal.