GTA 5 actor Ned Luke has publicly criticized AI company WAME for using his voice without permission. The voice actor, famous for portraying Michael De Santa in the hit game, discovered that WAME promoted a chatbot claiming to allow users to have a voice conversation with his character. Following Luke's complaint, WAME removed the chatbot and acknowledged the complex interplay between AI technology advancement and ethical considerations in using voice actors' likenesses.

The controversy sheds light on the broader issues concerning AI's role in gaming and media, especially as it pertains to voice actors' rights and income. It's part of an ongoing dialogue in the gaming industry where AI has been both an innovative tool and a cause for concern among creators. This incident prompts a larger conversation about protecting creators while advancing technology responsibly. Recognizing this, voice actor Cissy Jones has established Morpheme.ai, a company aimed at helping voice actors control the use of their voices with AI.

What are some concerns voice actors have regarding AI technology?

Voice actors express worries that AI can replicate their voices for use in projects without their consent, effectively stealing their work and depriving them of potential income. There are also fears about AI capabilities leading to less employment for human voice actors as the technology improves and becomes more accessible to developers.

Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5), developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, was released in September 2013 and has become one of the most significant and influential video games in the medium. The role of Michael De Santa, voiced by Ned Luke, is one of the three main protagonists in the game's narrative. The concerns raised by Luke about AI mimicry not only impact the professional integrity and livelihood of voice actors but also echo a broader industry-wide conversation about the ethics of artificial intelligence in creative endeavors.