In a recent incident, Ned Luke, the voice actor famous for his portrayal of Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto V, expressed his frustration and disapproval towards an AI chatbot that utilized his voice without permission or consent. Luke took to Twitter to call out the company behind the chatbot, WAME, labelling it as "f**king bulls**t" and criticising the unethical practice of using computer-generated imitation of his voice to deceive people.

The controversy came to light when WAME promoted their chatbot, which claimed to offer users the chance to engage in lifelike conversations with Luke's character, Michael De Santa. Luke quickly responded to WAME's post, denouncing the company's actions and urging people not to waste their time on the "garbage" chatbot. He also tagged Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games and the actors union, Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), in his response.

Luke's public outcry prompted a swift response from WAME, who promptly removed the chatbot and all associated promotional materials from the internet. The company acknowledged the controversy and emphasized the interplay between AI technology advancements and ethical and legal concerns. WAME expressed their commitment to safeguarding the rights of voice actors and creators while upholding ethical AI practices.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue faced by video game voice actors who see AI as a potential threat to their livelihood. Doug Cockle, voice actor of The Witcher series, recently spoke about the inevitability of AI in the industry but also the dangers it poses, echoing Luke's sentiments about how chatbots and similar uses can diminish voice actors' income.

The gaming industry has grappled with AI-related controversies before. Embark Studios, the developer of popular shooter game The Finals, faced criticism for using AI-generated voiceovers by various actors and developers. However, Embark defended its approach, stating that they utilize a combination of recorded voices and AI text-to-speech tools for their games.

Other instances of AI misuse have been brought to light by video game voice actors, such as explicit mods in Skyrim and cloned voice usage in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Paul Eiding, known for his role as Colonel Campbell in the Metal Gear Solid series, also condemned the inappropriate use of AI-generated voices.

In response to these challenges, voice actor Cissy Jones, known for her work in Disney's Owl House, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, and more, has taken a proactive approach. Jones has established a company called Morpheme.ai to empower voice actors to embrace AI in their own way and regain control over their voices in the future.

The incident involving Ned Luke serves as a reminder of the ongoing ethical considerations surrounding AI technology and the importance of protecting the rights and livelihoods of voice actors. Industry stakeholders must continue to navigate this complex landscape to find a harmonious balance between AI advancements and legal and ethical boundaries.

Ryan Dinsdale, an IGN freelance reporter, covers the evolving discourse on AI in video games, with a particular interest in The Witcher series.