In a surprising turn of events, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has signed an agreement with Replica Studios, an artificial intelligence (A.I.) voice technology company. This agreement allows game developers to use A.I. voices, a move that has sparked controversy within the voice acting community.
Last September, SAG-AFTRA union members voted in favor of authorizing a video game strike. The strike was sparked by various concerns, including the need for better wages, increased safety precautions, and protections against exploitative uses of A.I. technology. However, it seems that not all members were aware of the agreement with Replica Studios.
Yong Yea, the voice actor behind the new English voice of Kazuma Kiryu in the Like a Dragon series, expressed his surprise on Twitter. He stated that he and other voice actors he knows were not informed about the agreement until it was announced on social media. This raises questions about the transparency and communication between SAG-AFTRA and its members.
Despite the controversy, SAG-AFTRA maintains that this agreement provides professional voice over artists with new employment opportunities while ensuring industry-leading protections tailored to A.I. technology. According to the union, this agreement allows Replica and union members to create and license digital replicas of their voices, which can be used in game development and other interactive media projects.
The union emphasizes that this contract was approved by affected members of its voiceover performer community. However, voices of concern within the community continue to be heard. Steve Blum, a renowned voice actor known for his work in games like Deadpool and the Batman Arkham series, expressed his disbelief on Twitter. Blum questioned who exactly approved this contract, as he and others in the voice acting community were not aware or involved in the decision-making process.
SAG-AFTRA defends the agreement, stating that it marks an important step towards the ethical use of A.I. voices in creative projects. The union believes that this agreement establishes minimum terms and conditions while ensuring performer consent and negotiation for the use of their digital voice replicas. Additionally, the agreement allows performers to opt out of having their digital voices used in new works.
This development raises important questions about the future of voice acting in the gaming industry. Will A.I. voices become the norm, potentially threatening the livelihoods of voice actors? How will the industry ensure that A.I. voices do not completely replace human performances? These are just some of the concerns that arise from this agreement.
The agreement between SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios represents a significant milestone in the use of A.I. technology in the gaming industry. It highlights the need for ongoing discussions and collaboration between stakeholders to ensure the fair and ethical employment of voice actors in this rapidly evolving landscape. As the gaming industry continues to push the boundaries of technology, the voice acting community must play an active role in shaping its future.
The impact of this agreement remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation around the use of A.I. voices in gaming is far from over.
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