A recent incident involving a confidential PlayStation video featuring Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon, sparked debates about the implications of AI in gaming. Voice actress Ashly Burch expressed her concerns on TikTok, highlighting the potential risks of AI technologies that utilize actors’ likenesses and performances without consent. Guerrilla Games clarified that the video was not linked to any current projects and did not use actor input. This situation raises questions about AI’s role in the creative industry and the future of human artistry.
Recently, we reported on a significant incident involving a confidential video clip from PlayStation that began circulating on the internet. This clip featured Aloy, the iconic protagonist from Horizon, engaging in a dialogue with a human, all orchestrated through an AI-powered bot. As expected, this revelation reignited discussions about the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence to humanity. Ashly Burch, the talented voice actress behind Aloy (also known for her role as Tiny Tina in Borderlands), shared her personal insights on this critical issue, alongside a statement from the studio, Guerrilla Games.
Does AI Pose a Threat to Horizon? Aloy Fights Back Against Machines
It’s widely acknowledged that AI has become a key player across various sectors, with major corporations pouring vast resources into advancing different models to stay competitive. This situation ironically mirrors the origins of the Horizon universe. Renowned gaming companies, including Xbox, Square Enix, and Sony, are gradually integrating artificial intelligence within their development teams, primarily to streamline monotonous tasks like coding. However, the concern arises that such advancements may undermine the creative aspects of gaming by replacing human artists and, as seen in the recent video, voice actors.
Ashly Burch took to her TikTok account to express her concerns regarding the controversial video. She stated, “I am worried, not because the technology exists, nor because the gaming industry aims to leverage it, which is understandable. My concern lies in the implications of a video like this that associates with someone’s performance. It utilizes an individual’s voice, likeness, and mannerisms, and there’s a real possibility that we could lose this battle, leaving affected individuals without recourse, protection, or means to respond. This thought saddens me greatly. I have a deep love for this industry and its art form, and I hope to see a new generation of actors rather than machines.”
The Studio’s Reaction to Address Concerns
Before diving into her concerns, Ashly Burch clarified that Guerrilla Games reached out to her to explain the context surrounding the controversial video featuring her character and an AI-driven bot, which has since been taken down. The studio clarified that the video does not represent any current projects in development and that it did not employ motion capture or the voice of any actor.
Nevertheless, as articulated by the voice of Aloy, she joins a growing group of actors and creatives who have voiced their apprehensions regarding this issue, even initiating strike actions to safeguard against potential abuses related to AI. The existence of this video raises a troubling question: is there a looming threat of machines taking over, echoing the apocalyptic scenarios depicted in Horizon? Only time will reveal the outcome.
Source: Ashly Burch on TikTok – Credit: Radec on X.com