If you thought Activision’s controversy with the use of AI-generated images in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was bad, you need to see this new issue. French voice actors for Apex Legends have refused to sign a new contract that would allow their voices to be used for generative AI training.
Pascale Chemin, the French voice of Wraith, recently shared a statement on her Instagram stating that the entire French voice cast unanimously rejected the clause. Before we talk about the AI part of this problem, can we just say that this is yet another misstep for EA? Because this could’ve been easily avoided.
Generative AI is encroaching deeper into the gaming industry
Pascale Chemin took to Instagram to expose the troubling contract requirement sent by the game’s publisher. Before even being called in for recording, actors were asked to sign an agreement that would allow their voices to be used for AI training, effectively handing over their rights with no limitations on how the AI-generated voices would be used.
Chemin disclosed that all 31 French voice actors for Apex Legends unanimously refused to sign a contract that would permit their voices to be used for AI training. The actors were informed that rejecting the contract meant giving up their roles entirely. Here is a full translation of her words.
Even before being called in for a recording session for a video game, the studio sent me (as well as the 31 other actors in the cast) an email with a confidentiality and rights transfer agreement directly from the publisher. In order to be called in and thus work, I must first accept these clauses.
At first reading, they are not acceptable, which was confirmed to me by a legal expert specialized in audiovisual law. I find myself forced to “let go” of the role I have been voicing for almost six years. In no way can I “force” the rest of the cast to do the same, but one thing is certain: if we all refuse, it could have an impact. Otherwise, it would be a wasted effort.
THE 31 OTHER ACTORS, WITHOUT HESITATION, REFUSED TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT.
We have drafted a collective refusal, which we have sent to the publisher, and we are waiting for a response. Because if we do not stand together now, to ensure a clause protecting our voices is officially included in our contracts—for all studios recording video games—we will never have it, and we are heading toward disaster.
Of course, refusing work at the moment is absurd; there are few or no job opportunities for many (a lot), and people are speaking up about it more and more. So yes, a paycheck is welcome. But here, we are not simply being asked to work; we are being asked to give up our expertise to train generative AI that will replace us tomorrow.
We are being asked to accept what we are fighting against. We are being asked to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are being asked to endorse #AI.
Their decision highlights the growing unease among voice actors and artists of every form. There are creative people in every industry who fear AI will eventually replace them in the industry. And as much as we want to say that human originality is priceless, we’re already seeing how some companies don’t agree.
It’s Apex Legends today, tomorrow it could be your favorite game
There is an urgent need for stronger industry regulations. Unions such as SAG-AFTRA have been actively negotiating protections for actors against AI exploitation and for their quality of life. If the industry does not establish clear ethical boundaries for AI use, more actors may find themselves in similar situations.
The current situation with voice actors is one thing. But this has gotten people talking once more about the future of gaming itself. AI-generated voices could be just the beginning. What if AI eventually takes over game writing, development, and more? “The Dead Internet Theory” suggests that AI-generated content could eventually lead to an artificial and soulless digital world. If that sounds scary to you, that’s because it is.
So far, neither EA nor Respawn Entertainment has publicly addressed the voice actors’ mass resignation. However, with the entire French voice cast refusing to work, the issue will likely escalate, especially if other regional voice actors follow suit. And we hope that they do follow. Because today it’s someone you know. It could be you tomorrow.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
