Ashly Burch Concerned Over AI Aloy Video'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 Aloy as a demonstration. The video, which has since been removed, featured Sony Interactive Entertainment's director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, engaging in a conversation with an AI-powered Aloy. In the video, Aloy's voice was robotic and her facial animations were stiff, clearly not utilizing Burch's performance data. Burch took to TikTok to confirm that she had seen the video and that Horizon developer Guerrilla had assured her that the demo was not indicative of any active development, nor did it use her performance data. This clarification suggests that AI Aloy won't be featured in the upcoming Horizon multiplayer game or the anticipated Horizon 3.

Burch expressed concern over the potential impact of AI on the art of game performance, using the video as a platform to discuss the ongoing strike by video game voice actors. The strike, led by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), is focused on securing protections against the use of AI in replicating actors' performances without consent and fair compensation. Burch emphasized the importance of these protections, highlighting the potential for future actors to lose their rights if the strike is unsuccessful.

She stressed that the issue isn't the technology itself or the companies' desire to use it, but rather the lack of agreement from the bargaining group to provide necessary protections during the strike. Burch also pointed out that interim union contracts are available for game companies to sign, which would provide the protections the actors are seeking.

The broader context of AI in the gaming industry has been a topic of contention, with ethical and rights issues at the forefront. Despite failures like Keywords Studios' AI-generated game, companies such as Activision have continued to integrate AI into their projects, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. The voice actor strike has already affected games like Destiny 2, World of Warcraft, and League of Legends, with some NPCs left unvoiced and characters being recast. Asad Qizilbash from PlayStation has noted the importance of AI for personalization in games, particularly appealing to younger generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha who seek more meaningful and personalized gaming experiences.

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