Sony has recently come under scrutiny following the leak of an internal video showcasing an AI-powered prototype of Aloy, the protagonist from the Horizon series. In the footage, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Director of Software Engineering, interacts with an AI version of Aloy, engaging in voice-based conversations during gameplay. The demonstration utilized technologies such as OpenAI’s Whisper and GPT-4, along with Sony’s Emotional Voice Synthesis (EVS) and Mockingbird, to generate speech and facial animations.

This development has raised significant concerns among voice actors, particularly Ashly Burch, who has voiced Aloy in all four Horizon games. Burch expressed apprehension about the potential implications of AI on the art of game performance, stating that the existence of such technology and its possible use by game companies is worrisome. She emphasized the need for protections, including consent, fair compensation, and transparency regarding AI usage, to safeguard actors’ rights and future opportunities.

While Guerrilla Games, the developer behind Horizon, clarified that the AI demo was not part of active development and did not utilize Burch’s voice or facial data, the incident has intensified discussions within the industry about the ethical use of AI in gaming and its impact on creative professions.