Horizon voice actor Ashly Burch has responded to last week's leaked AI Aloy demonstration video, using it to highlight concerns raised by striking voice performers.
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The Verge recently reported on an internal Sony video showcasing AI technology featuring Horizon's Aloy character. In the now-deleted clip, Sony's software engineering director Sharwin Raghoebardajal conversed with an AI version of Aloy that exhibited robotic text-to-speech audio and unnatural facial animations.
Burch, who has voiced Aloy across all Horizon titles including the upcoming Lego Horizon Adventures, confirmed via TikTok that Horizon developer Guerrilla contacted her to clarify the tech demo didn't represent active development and didn't use any of her performance data. While this likely excludes AI Aloy from future Horizon titles, Burch noted Sony owns the character rights.
The actress expressed concern about "the future of game performance as an art form," using the incident to discuss SAG-AFTRA's ongoing strike for actor protections against unauthorized AI replication. Current negotiations remain stalled on key issues regarding consent, compensation and transparency for AI usage.
"I'm worried about scenarios where performers might lose control over their digital likenesses without recourse," Burch stated. She emphasized the strike protects the creative future of game acting, pointing to existing temporary contracts that companies could adopt now.
The debate over generative AI continues dividing the gaming industry following mass layoffs and several high-profile AI implementation failures. While some companies like Activision are incorporating AI tools, backlash persists regarding ethical concerns and quality issues, as seen in recent controversies surrounding Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Zenless Zone Zero recasts.
PlayStation executive Asad Qizilbash recently defended AI's potential for personalization, arguing younger audiences expect adaptive digital experiences. However, the ongoing actor strike has already impacted major franchises including Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, with unvoiced NPCs potentially signaling production challenges.
