Ashly Burch Worried About AI's Impact on Game Art

Ashly Burch, the voice behind Aloy in the Horizon series, recently addressed a leaked internal Sony video that showcased AI technology using the character Aloy. The video, which has since been removed, featured Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, interacting with an AI-generated Aloy. In the clip, Aloy responds to a question about her well-being with, "Hello, I'm managing alright. Just dealing with a sore throat. How have you been?" However, the voice and facial animations of this AI Aloy were noticeably robotic and lacked the naturalness of a human performance.

Burch took to TikTok to share her reaction to the video. She confirmed that she had been informed by Horizon developer Guerrilla that the tech demo was not indicative of any ongoing development and did not utilize any of her performance data. Burch expressed concern over the future of game performance as an art form and used the incident to highlight the ongoing strike by video game voice actors. She emphasized the importance of securing consent, fair compensation, and transparency regarding the use of AI-generated doubles of actors.

The strike, led by SAG-AFTRA, aims to negotiate protections for voice actors against the use of AI. Burch voiced her fears about the potential consequences if the strike fails, stating that it could jeopardize the future of the industry and the careers of new and existing actors. She stressed that the issue is not with the technology itself but with the refusal of the bargaining group to provide the requested protections.

Burch also pointed out that temporary union contracts are currently available, offering the protections the striking actors seek, and encouraged game companies to sign them. Her stance reflects a broader concern within the industry about the ethical use of AI, especially as it relates to the rights and livelihoods of creative professionals.

The topic of generative AI has been a contentious issue in the gaming and entertainment sectors, with many citing ethical and rights concerns. Despite some failures, such as Keywords Studios' experimental AI game, several companies continue to explore AI's potential in game development. Recent examples include Activision's use of AI for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the impact of the voice actor strike on games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, where some NPCs have been left unvoiced.

The ongoing debate over AI's role in gaming was further highlighted by Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and head of product at PlayStation Studios, who emphasized the importance of AI for younger gamers seeking personalized experiences. This underscores the tension between technological advancement and the need to protect the rights and artistry of game performers.

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