A group of voice actors working in Japan has released a video calling for rules on regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence to create audio and visual content that mimics their voices without permission.
Popular voice actors Yamadera Koichi, Kaji Yuki and 24 others launched a campaign to advocate for establishing guidelines on AI-generated content.
According to the Japan Actors Union, which represents many voice actors, there have been confirmed cases in which such content was created without permission using AI, then posted online or sold. For example, simulated voices of popular animation characters have been made to sing songs not included in the original animation.
The campaign video released on Monday featured six voice actors. One of them, Yamadera, said the commercial use of such synthesized voices is unacceptable, and even sharing them online is problematic.
The group plans to release campaign videos regularly through social media and other platforms.
Another member of the group, Kanai Mika, said she was saddened to see someone who sounded like her speaking and singing without her permission. She added that she hopes rules are made to allow co-existence with AI, establishing clear boundaries between what is acceptable and what is not.