Voice Actor for Aloy in “Horizon” Games Creeped Out by AI Version of Her Character

Voice Actor Ashly Burch Speaks Out on AI Imitation Concerns

Ashly Burch, renowned for her portrayal of Aloy in the acclaimed PlayStation titles Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, has recently shared her thoughts on a leaked tech demo that showcased an AI-generated imitation of her character. In a video that surfaced on TikTok and was later shared on Instagram, Burch voiced her apprehensions not just regarding the future of the beloved game series and her own career, but also about the broader implications for the voice acting industry as a whole.

The leaked demo, which originated from an internal presentation by Sony’s PlayStation Studios, displayed a somewhat clumsy AI version of Aloy responding to various inquiries. Although Guerilla Games, the studio behind the Horizon franchise, clarified that the demo did not signal any current development and did not utilize Burch’s voice or facial data, the mere application of AI in this context was unsettling for both Burch and her fellow voice actors.

Burch pointed out the ongoing strike spearheaded by SAG-AFTRA against the gaming industry since July 2024, which seeks to establish protections for performers in light of the rapid advancement of AI technology. She underscored the critical need for consent, fair remuneration, and transparency when it comes to the use of AI representations of actors.

The timing of the tech demo’s release during the strike was perceived as particularly tone-deaf by Burch, who highlighted the necessity for measures that prevent the unauthorized exploitation of performers’ likenesses through AI. In the absence of such protections, performers could face the risk of having their identities misappropriated without any recourse.

Amidst this ongoing dialogue, Burch’s message remains emphatic: the core issue lies not within the technology itself but rather in the insufficient safeguards for performers navigating the swiftly changing terrain of AI in the entertainment sector. The conversation regarding AI’s role in performance capture is evolving, carrying significant implications for the future of the industry and the rights of actors.