The Witcher Voice Actor for Geralt of Rivia Is Concerned About AI

Doug Cockle, renowned for his depiction of Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher video game series, has voiced his apprehensions about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in voice acting within the gaming industry. In a revealing interview with IGN, Cockle articulated his fears that AI could engender unscrupulous practices and pose a threat to the careers of voice actors.

Cockle has been the personification of Geralt for almost twenty years, and his worries are centered on the potential for AI to be used to replicate voices without authorization, leading to misuse. He cited examples of AI-generated voices substituting for human actors in some games' background character dialogues, suggesting this could undermine voice actors' rights by not obtaining their consent or offering fair compensation.

He recounted an episode almost three years prior when an AI firm approached him to record his interpretation of Geralt for their database. He declined then and maintained that stance. His decision isn't rooted in an aversion to AI technology but rather a concern about the protection of voice actors, particularly those portraying lead characters. He is well aware of the reality that their voices can be illicitly copied.

Beyond the fear of job security, Cockle is also deeply troubled by the possibility that AI-generated voices could be harnessed for harmful objectives. He envisaged a disturbing prospect where someone could potentially use a deepfake version of Geralt's voice to disseminate destructive messages or to advocate bigotry, hatred, or racist ideologies. The potential harm to both the reputation of the character and the actor could not be overstated.

Notwithstanding his qualms, Cockle isn't calling for a prohibition of AI in the realm of voice acting. He sees the benefits it can bring, particularly in creating richer gaming experiences with numerous non-playable characters in vast open-world games. He underscores the necessity for ethical deployment and conscientious development of such technologies.

Cissy Jones, a fellow voice actor, is tackling the issue by founding Morpheme.ai, a venture aimed at giving actors oversight over how their digital voices are used. This concept aligns with the broader movement within the industry where AI developers are actively seeking ways to mitigate potential concerns surrounding voice replication.

Cockle firmly believes the discontent isn't about the financial aspect for voice actors; rather, it's about maintaining autonomy over their work and the portrayals of their characters.

He specifically pointed out that ire shouldn't be directed at those creating fan content but at the platforms that facilitate the easy seizure of voice recordings for unauthorized use, no matter the nature of the content or whether the actor has given their nod of approval. It's the question of control and accurate representation that sits at the heart of voice actors' concerns.