David Hayter has good reason to spend so much time raising awareness for ongoing strike action in Hollywood. For decades, Hayter has worked in multiple fields across the entertainment industry. Now, two of them - acting and writing - are embroiled in high-profile industrial action, fighting back against studios that think their work can be replaced by AI.
However, an issue much less talked about specifically concerns video game actors - something Hayter is incredibly well known for thanks to his tenure in Metal Gear Solid. Earlier this week, fellow voice actors told me they’re fearful that gaming studios will replace them with AI. One such name, Roger Clark, even said that some are already compiling libraries of motion capture footage that can be used in other video games without fairly compensating the actors involved.
With so many issues on the line - issues that would affect every field Hayter works in - I ask him for his thoughts on AI. Despite all the fears, his stance is very clear: it won’t replace anyone. Because it can’t.
“People love to panic, or overhype, new, ‘disruptive’ technology,” says Hayter, speaking over email. “Airbnb did not replace hotels, and AI will not replace human performances in any compelling way.”
Ethical issues aside (Hayter has already shown his support for actors protecting their voices from AI), he feels that the quality is so poor that studios will simply have to ditch the tech. No matter how much they’d like to live in a world without decent pay and residuals.
“The day they put out any all-AI generated material, they will rapidly realize the severe limitations of this technology,” says Hayter. “It is a toy, not a revolution.
“There is no soul to it. The computer can replicate vocal cadences and tones very well, but so far, only a living person can make it feel alive,” says Hayter. “It’s the same with writing. AI writing is horrible so far. I realize it’s a learning machine, but so far, it is unable to replicate actual emotion.
“I am strongly against any technology replicating any artist’s face, or voice, or any of the elements that make them human, particularly without their consent. But again, I have not seen AI succeed in any way beyond a computerized parlor trick.”
Of course, this won’t stop studios from trying. Unfortunately, it seems that actors specialising in voice-over will be more at risk, as they are considered easier to replace.
“Voice-over, animation and anime actors are treated horribly,” Hayter explains. “ [...] Many of them are paid less than [SAG-AFRTA] minimum. It is far past time that all voice-over and animation artists were protected by Union membership.”
Right now, many actors who primarily work in voice-over and motion capture are not striking, as they are not yet included in this dispute. They previously went on strike from 2016 to 2017 - the longest strike in Union history - although that was long before we heard of actors having their voices stolen for AI purposes. Due to this, most actors thoroughly support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, since they all stand to benefit.
But as Hayter tells me, it’s rapidly coming to a point where the most vulnerable actors - the least likely to even be in a Union - will need its support. Background actors are already being offered “one day’s pay” for their likeness to be scanned and saved, tying into Roger Clark’s concern about studios hoping to reuse an actor’s performance for future projects. SAG-AFRTA leaders also say they have heard about this proposal, making it clear that some studios are already trying to replace anyone they can with AI in order to cut costs and speed up the production of projects for corporate gain.
For now, game actors will continue to act, as will those in anime and other TV shows. They will also keep attending Comic Con and other promotional events, as their comrades plan to halt any kind of work that advertises upcoming shows and movies. Whether it’s podcasts or fan Q&As, we can expect to hear much from actors like Hayter this summer - including their support of their fellow actors who are able to strike.
It remains to be seen if gaming actors will be brought into the strike, but right now, Hayter is adamant that the poor quality of existing voice generators will protect him and his colleagues. We’ll just have to hope that’s enough to put studios off implementing it regardless, as they find new and creative ways to treat entertainment works like cogs in a machine and innovate in the name of paying them less.