Ashly Burch concerned over AI in game art

Horizon actress Ashly Burch has responded to the leaked AI Aloy demonstration video by highlighting concerns at the heart of the ongoing voice actors' strike. The viral clip, first reported by The Verge, showcased Sony's experimental AI technology recreating Aloy's character through synthetic speech and facial animation - though Sony hasn't officially commented.

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In the since-deleted demo, Sony software engineering director Sharwin Raghoebardajal converses with a clearly artificial Aloy, whose stiff facial animations and text-to-speech vocal delivery contrasted sharply with Burch's acclaimed performance. When asked how she's doing, the AI character responds: "Hello, I'm managing alright. Just dealing with a sore throat. How have you been?"

Burch, the original voice behind Aloy in all four Horizon titles (Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain, and Lego Horizon Adventures), confirmed on TikTok that Guerrilla Games assured her this technology isn't in active development and didn't utilize her performance data. This likely excludes AI Aloy from appearing in the upcoming Horizon multiplayer title or Horizon 3.

However, Burch expressed deep concerns about the implications for performance artists. "What worries me isn't the technology's existence or companies wanting to use it," she explained. "It's imagining this scenario happening with someone's actual performance data if we lose this fight - with no protections or recourse available."

The actress directly connected this to SAG-AFTRA's ongoing strike negotiations, where voice actors demand three key protections: consent for AI recreations, fair compensation, and transparency about AI usage. "We're currently fighting for basic safeguards that temporary union contracts already provide," Burch noted, urging game studios to adopt these interim agreements.

@ashly.burch shares thoughts on AI Aloy

♬ original sound - Ashly Burch

The gaming industry's AI push continues despite mounting criticism over ethical concerns and creative limitations. Keywords Studios' recent all-AI game experiment failed spectacularly, yet companies like Activision persist with generative AI implementations - including controversial uses in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

The strike's impact grows increasingly visible across major titles, with Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft reportedly featuring silent NPCs in typically voiced scenes. PlayStation executive Asad Qizilbash recently defended AI integration as essential for appealing to younger audiences seeking personalized interactions, stating: "Gen Z and Alpha expect experiences with more meaning."

As the debate intensifies, Burch's message resonates beyond Horizon: "I believe fighting is necessary to protect the future of this art form we love." The gaming community continues watching closely as these critical discussions about creative rights and technological boundaries unfold.