TLDR: Twenty-six prominent Japanese voice actors, including industry veterans like Koichi Yamadera, Romi Park, and Ryusei Nakao, have initiated the ‘No More Unauthorized Generative AI’ movement. This collective aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue regarding the unconsented and uncompensated use of their voices by generative AI technologies. The movement emphasizes that while new technologies offer benefits, ethical guidelines and respectful engagement with creators are crucial to protect their livelihoods and the future of creative industries.
A coalition of 26 leading Japanese voice actors has come together to launch the ‘No More Unauthorized Generative AI’ (or ‘No More Mudan Seisei AI’) movement. This initiative, announced on October 18, 2024, seeks to address the growing concerns among performers regarding the unauthorized replication and sale of their voices by generative artificial intelligence.
The group, which includes renowned figures such as Koichi Yamadera (voice of Spike Spiegel in ‘Cowboy Bebop’), Romi Park (Edward Elric in ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’), and Ryusei Nakao (Frieza in ‘Dragon Ball’), released an introductory video on their YouTube channel. In the video, Ryusei Nakao shared a personal experience, stating, ‘Someone was selling my voice without permission. I was shocked. Our voices are our livelihoods. They are our lives. Please listen to how it makes us, as voice actors, feel when our voices are used without permission for generative AI.’ The 26 members then collectively declared, ‘No more unauthorized Generative AI!’
A press release from the group further elaborated on their stance, highlighting instances where ‘readings and songs that we have no memory of recording, and our voices themselves, have been uploaded to the Internet, sometimes being offered for sale.’ The statement underscores the profound personal and professional connection voice actors have to their voices, asserting that ‘Even if these uploads are coming from fans who want to hear more of our voices, it brings us no joy for our voices to be used without permission.’
The movement advocates for a future where technological advancements are balanced with ethical considerations. They express a desire for ‘cultural rules through peaceful discussions with the involvement of experts in order to see eye-to-eye, to protect the fertile soil in which good works can be created for the next 10, the next 20 years,’ rather than resorting to ‘hurtful words and retaliation.’
It is important to note that the ‘No More Unauthorized Generative AI’ movement is specifically focused on the unauthorized and non-compensated use of voices. It is not a blanket condemnation of all AI voice replication. This distinction is particularly relevant given that Aoni Production, a prominent Japanese talent agency for voice actors, announced a partnership with AI company CoeFont to create AI versions of some of its performers’ voices, including Masako Nozawa (voice of Goku), for ‘non-acting’ projects. This collaboration, which occurred less than a month before the ‘No More Unauthorized Generative AI’ announcement, suggests a nuanced approach within the industry towards AI technology.
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The full list of voice actors involved in the project includes Michihiro Ikemizu, Yoji Ueda, Yuko Kaida, Yuki Kaji, Tomie Kataoka, Mika Kanai, Kujira, Shuhei Sakaguchi, Chika Sakamoto, Shunsuke Sakuys, Yuko Sasaki, Bin Shimada, Yu Shimamura, Tarusuke Shinkagi, Toshihiko Seki, Ryota Takeuchi, Hiroki Touchi, Ryusei Nakao, Joji Nakata, Daisuke Namikawa, Romi Park, Rika Fukami, Juna Fukuyama, Katsuhisa Hoki, Mitsuru Miyamoto, and Koichi Yamadera. The group plans to release individual videos to further articulate their personal perspectives on the issue.
