Horizon Actor Ashly Burch Says Sony's AI Aloy Video Left Her Feeling 'Worried About Game Performance as an Art Form'

Voice actress Ashly Burch, known for her portrayal of Aloy in the *Horizon* series, has responded to a leaked Sony video showcasing AI-powered Aloy. The video, since removed, depicted an AI recreation of Aloy with a robotic voice and stiff animations, noticeably different from Burch's performance. While Guerrilla Games assured Burch that this was a tech demo and not indicative of current development, and didn't use her performance data, the incident prompted Burch to highlight the concerns of striking voice actors.

Burch, via TikTok, expressed worry about the impact of AI on the art of voice acting, emphasizing the need for actor consent, fair compensation, and transparency regarding the use of AI likenesses. She stressed that the issue isn't the technology itself, or companies' desire to use it, but the lack of sufficient protections for actors during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. She underscored the availability of interim union contracts offering the protections actors are seeking, urging game companies to adopt them.

The use of generative AI in video games is a complex and contentious issue. Keywords Studios' failed experiment in creating an AI-driven game highlighted the limitations of current AI technology in replacing human talent. Despite this, several companies, including Activision, have incorporated AI into their development processes, leading to some controversies, such as the use of AI-generated assets in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6*. The ongoing strike has already impacted several games, with reports of unvoiced NPCs and voice actor replacements in titles like *Destiny 2*, *World of Warcraft*, *League of Legends*, and *Zenless Zone Zero*. PlayStation's Asad Qizilbash recently argued that AI's potential for personalized gaming experiences is crucial for attracting younger audiences.

The debate over AI in video games continues, balancing technological advancement with the ethical considerations and rights of creative professionals.

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