Ashly Burch Voices Concerns Over AI Aloy Video's Impact on Game Art

Horizon actor Ashly Burch has recently addressed the AI Aloy video that leaked online, using it as a platform to discuss the concerns of striking voice actors. Last week, The Verge reported on a leaked internal Sony video showcasing technology featuring Aloy from the Horizon series to demonstrate AI-powered characters. Sony has yet to comment on the issue, despite IGN's request.

In the now-deleted video, Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, interacts with an AI-powered Aloy through voice prompts, resulting in AI-generated speech and facial animations. When asked how she's doing, AI Aloy responds, "Hello, I'm managing alright. Just dealing with a sore throat. How have you been?" The voice emanating from Aloy is unmistakably robotic, reminiscent of text-to-speech generators, and her facial animations are stiff with lifeless eyes.

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Burch, the voice behind Aloy in all four Horizon games (Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain, and Lego Horizon Adventures), took to TikTok to confirm she had seen the video. She also mentioned that Horizon developer Guerrilla had informed her that the tech demo was not part of any active development and did not use any of her performance data. This clarification likely rules out the use of AI Aloy in the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game and the anticipated Horizon 3. However, Burch acknowledged that Sony Interactive Entertainment owns the character of Aloy.

Expressing her concerns, Burch stated that the AI Aloy video made her "worried about game performance as an art form." She used this as a segue to discuss the ongoing video game voice actors strike, which has seen several high-profile impacts in recent weeks. The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently updated its members on the status of negotiations regarding AI protections for video game actors, indicating progress but also noting significant gaps with the industry bargaining group on crucial issues.

Burch elaborated on the demands of the striking actors: "Currently what we’re fighting for is, you have to get our consent before you make an AI version of us in any form, you have to compensate us fairly, and you have to tell us how you’re using this AI double." She expressed her fears about the potential lack of recourse for actors if their performances were used without consent or compensation, emphasizing her love for the industry and her desire to see it thrive with future generations of actors.

Burch made it clear that she was not targeting any specific company, including Guerrilla, but rather highlighted the broader issue of the strike and the bargaining group's refusal to provide essential protections. She affirmed her support for the strike, believing it necessary to protect the future of their beloved career. Burch also pointed out existing temporary union contracts that offer the protections the striking actors seek, available for any video game company to sign.

@ashly.burch let us speak on AI aloy

♬ original sound - Ashly Burch

Generative AI remains a contentious topic in the video game and entertainment industries, with significant layoffs and ethical concerns. Keywords Studios' attempt to create an entirely AI-generated game failed, as the AI could not replace human talent. Nevertheless, companies like Activision have disclosed using generative AI for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, despite backlash over AI-generated content.

The voice actor strike has already affected games such as Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, with unvoiced NPCs appearing in voiced scenes. SAG-AFTRA struck League of Legends after Riot allegedly tried to circumvent the strike by canceling a game, and Activision confirmed recasting characters in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 due to player concerns over new voices. Recently, two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors learned of their replacement through patch notes.

Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and head of product at PlayStation Studios, commented on AI's importance to Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers, emphasizing their desire for personalization and meaningful experiences in games.