Video Game Studios Face Backlash Over AI Voice Cloning Without Actor Consent

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Voice actors raised concerns after Hi-Rez Studios included contract clauses allowing AI to clone actors’ voices, even posthumously, without explicit consent or compensation. Following public backlash and union pressure, the studio pledged to revise its policies to better protect actors’ rights against unauthorized AI-generated voice use.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

The event clearly involves an AI system used for voice cloning and synthesis. The controversy centers on the use and potential misuse of AI-generated voices without consent, which constitutes a violation of intellectual property and personal rights. This fits the definition of an AI Incident because the AI system's use has directly led to a breach of obligations intended to protect fundamental and intellectual property rights. The harm is realized in terms of rights violations and potential reputational and economic damage to voice actors. Although physical harm or property damage is not involved, the breach of rights is sufficient to classify this as an AI Incident under the framework.[AI generated]
AI principles
AccountabilityPrivacy & data governanceRespect of human rightsTransparency & explainabilityHuman wellbeingDemocracy & human autonomy
Industries
Arts, entertainment, and recreationMedia, social platforms, and marketing
Affected stakeholders
Workers
Harm types
Economic/PropertyReputationalHuman or fundamental rightsPsychological
Business function:
Research and developmentHuman resource management
AI system task:
Content generation

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