Voice actor Ned Luke, known for his portrayal of Grand Theft Auto V’s protagonist Michael De Santa, recently took to social media to express his frustration over an AI chatbot utilizing his voice without his permission. The chatbot, which claimed to offer a “realistic voice conversation with Michael De Santa,” was brought to attention by PCGamesN, but has since been removed from X (formerly Twitter).
Luke did not hold back in his criticism of the chatbot, describing its voice replication software as “fucking bullshit” and urging people not to waste their time on it. His fellow voice actor, Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, joined the conversation to emphasize that the real Michael De Santa can never be replaced.
Luke clarified that his concern lies not in being replaced, but rather in the unauthorized use of his voice. He expressed frustration with the weakness of the union and its inability to address such issues in the industry.
Responding to the controversy, WAME, the developer associated with the chatbot, issued a statement acknowledging the ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI technology. They emphasized their commitment to protecting the rights of voice actors and creators while advancing ethical practices in AI. WAME sees this incident as a critical moment for harmonizing AI technology with relevant legal statutes.
In a separate matter, some fans of the franchise expressed their dissatisfaction with the introduction of a female protagonist named Lucia in the upcoming game. They criticized the game for becoming “woke” and voiced concerns about diversity. Luke, however, defended the inclusion of Lucia, stating that she is a strong character and emphasizing that previous games have also featured female protagonists, although not on the same scale.
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTAVI) is scheduled for release in 2025, and as the industry continues to grapple with issues surrounding AI technology and representation, these controversies highlight the ongoing debates and challenges faced by developers, voice actors, and fans alike.
The source of the article is from the blog publicsectortravel.org.uk