The ever-vocal (and oft-swatted) actor, Ned Luke, recently confronted WAME, a tech company, for using his voice in an AI chatbot without permission.
This incident has ignited a significant discussion about the technical and legal complications of AI-generated content, particularly in replicating human voices.
Luke’s reaction was pointed and unambiguous. He openly and strongly expressed his disapproval of WAME’s actions on social media, condemning the company for creating what he referred to as a “lame computer estimation” of his voice and labeling the situation as “f**king bullshit”. This strong response underscores the growing concerns among actors and creatives about the unauthorized use of their voices and likenesses in AI-generated projects.
Ned Luke is best known for voicing Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto 5. His distinctive voice is one of the reasons why many consider Michael one of the best protagonists in GTA history. Thus, while not particularly in the right, you can’t blame WAME for adding his voice to its AI chatbot.
The controversy began when WAME released a chatbot mimicking Luke’s voice as his character from GTA V. In response to the chatbot, Luke criticized the company on social media, advising fans to avoid such AI-generated content and highlighting the disrespect involved in using his voice without approval.
The backlash from Luke and the wider gaming and acting community, including Roger Clark, known for his role in Red Dead Redemption 2, prompted WAME to remove the chatbot and related promotional material from the internet.
As reported by PCGamesN, WAME has since issued a statement, addressing the incident and recognizing it as a crucial moment for aligning AI technology with ethical and legal standards. They committed to respecting the rights of voice actors and creators while advancing ethical AI practices.
This event highlights the sensitive nature of using AI technology in content creation, especially regarding intellectual property rights, consent, and artistic integrity.
As genuine concerns surrounding AI use grows, many within the video game industry are recognizing the importance of using AI. Some games have even foregone the use of human voice actors entirely, including The Finals, which has continued to set new records on Steam despite the backlash.
As AI technology continues to advance, it raises important questions about intellectual property, consent, and how to the companies that employ such tools can find a way to balance technological innovation with the rights and respects of individuals, particularly in creative industries.
