Imagine hearing a familiar voice utter words you never expected. Then imagine that the voice is yours, but twisted, repurposed, and spat back at you by an unfeeling algorithm. That’s the unsettling reality facing Steve Downes, the voice of Master Chief, as AI voice cloning becomes increasingly sophisticated.
Downes, the longtime voice actor of Halo protagonist, has publicly requested that fans refrain from using generative AI to replicate his voice.
In a YouTube AMA, Downes admitted he’s seen online videos where his voice was recreated using this tech. While he initially viewed voice cloning as potentially “harmless,” he conceded that it could quickly morph into something harmful that would “deprive an actor of [their] work.” It’s a slippery slope, even if the tech is used without malice.
“As such, he would prefer “it not be done [to me]. There’s a lot of fan projects that are really cool and done just from the heart. But when you get to the AI part and deceiving somebody that these are lines I actually spoke…that’s where we cross a line that gets into an area I’m uncomfortable with.”
The Unease Around AI Voice Cloning
The local bakery down the street just installed a self-serve kiosk. While some see this as progress, others worry about the human connection being lost. The situation with Downes and generative AI mirrors this sentiment.
Recent years have seen voice actors express concern about the use of generative AI in VO. Last year, a leaked Sony test demo featured a test bot that had the voice of Aloy, the lead of the Horizon games, created with genAI. Aloy’s actor Ashly Burch then released a video saying she’d been informed that the Aloy bot was purely for demonstrative purposes and wasn’t made using her face or voice data. Even so, she said she was “worried” about the art form of game performances and how this technology could affect voice actors below her.
How does Microsoft factor into AI and ‘Halo’?
Halo is owned by Xbox, whose parent company Microsoft has been gradually going all-in on generative AI in its production pipeline and products. It’s partnered with generative AI companies to create tools meant to assist with facets of game development, which has garnered criticism among developers and players. It’s been murky whether the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved was made with genAI: last year, an insider alleged it was, but Halo Studios has been somewhat evasive, instead saying there was no requirement to use technology some of its staff consider “a tool in a toolbox.”
The rise of generative AI feels like a shadow creeping across the entertainment landscape. On one hand, there’s the allure of efficiency and creative possibilities. On the other, there’s the very real threat to artists and their livelihoods.
[via IGN]
What power do voice actors have against AI?
For actors like Downes and Burch, speaking out is their most potent weapon. By raising awareness and articulating their concerns, they hope to influence the conversation around AI ethics and usage. It’s a David versus Goliath scenario, but their voices carry weight.
The heart of the matter isn’t about stifling technological advancement, but rather ensuring that it doesn’t come at the expense of human creativity and labor. The key is finding a balance between innovation and protecting the rights and livelihoods of artists.
How do we define the line between harmless fun and harmful exploitation?
This is the question looming over the entire debate. Is it harmless to create a fun video using an AI-generated voice of Master Chief? Maybe. But where do we draw the line? When does mimicry become exploitation?
Consider generative AI as a musical instrument. In the hands of a skilled musician, it can create beautiful music. But it can also be used to create noise that drowns out the voices of others.
The genie is out of the bottle. AI voice cloning is here to stay. The question is, will we use it responsibly, or will it become a tool that silences the very voices that bring our favorite characters to life?