SAG-AFTRA Files Unfair Labor Practice Complaint Against Epic Games Due To A.I. Darth Vader
SAG-AFTRA Files Unfair Labor Practice Complaint Against Epic Games Due To A.I. Darth Vader
TL;DR: their argument is that using AI trained on an actor, even with said actor's blessing, is unfair because it shuts out other actors who used to get work imitating that voice.
A little more than that, actually.
The company says Llama Productions chose to replace human performers' work with AI technology but did so “without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms.” As such, SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the company with the NLRB.
While I agree it’s better to use real voice actors in most acting & pre-recorded situations, the audio is dynamically generated on the fly in Fortnite Darth, it’s all AI responses, including referring to you by the name of your skin/character you happen to be playing as.
I’m not sure how that could work with a pre-recorded actor, unless they program a whole AI vocal off them which while possible is a much bigger undertaking I believe?
Had a go with it today, & it was quite fun & novel, especially how it refers to you by name & asks some specific questions on things you’re doing in game at that moment, & responds to questions you ask it in a relatively good if simple/limited way. It’s obviously a fairly basic implementation so far, but this is likely the beginning of a lot of in game NPC character content whether we like it or not…
I mean......of all the things to hate on AI for, this isn't one. You don't WANT an immitation voice. You want James Earl Jones. But he's dead. AI is the best outcome possible.
Also the fact that Epic did this without notifying the union or giving them a chance to bargain
ie. It's Rent Seeking at this point.
How is there any barganing when the tech is for INFINITE voice lines..
Epic signed a contract with the union stating that they would bargain (and then willfully violated it).
Well ... let me calculate this ... that makes ... Infinite money ... Please!