Frieza and Eren Yeager unite against AI
A coalition of Japanese voice actors has raised their voices in protest against the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI) generation, pointing to the risk it poses to performers within the anime industry. In a newly released video, Ryusei Nakao, known for being the voice of Frieza in the "Dragon Ball" franchise, expresses his concern, mentioning that his voice, like that of other actors, is being "sold without permission" on the internet. According to reports, 26 voice actors have come together to create the volunteer group called "NOMORE Unauthorized AI Generation," whose main goal is to raise awareness about voice theft through generative AI.
Among the actors involved in this initiative are Yuki Kaji (Eren, Attack on Titan), Koichi Yamadera (Spike, Cowboy Bebop) and Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch, Code Geass), along with other well-known names. In the launch video of NOMORE, Nakao describes the serious problems faced by voice actors due to the misuse of AI. In the description of the video, the group explains how the voices of these performers have been reused without authorization by third parties. "Recordings and songs that we do not remember making, and even our voices, are being published and sometimes put up for sale without our permission," the statement read.
Nakao expresses his outrage in the video: "My voice was being sold without my permission. I was shocked," emphasizing that the voices of the actors are his main work tool and, in many cases, his livelihood. The video culminates with the rest of the actors in the coalition appearing on screen and shouting "NO MORE" TOGETHER.
The widespread use of AI tools has created an environment where voice actors can no longer protect their most valuable asset: their voice. Although many people use these technologies for recreational purposes, NOMORE stresses the importance of avoiding it without the actor's consent. "Even if it was made by a fan who wanted to hear more of that voice, it doesn't feel right for it to be used without permission," they state in the video.
In addition, the group calls for reflection on the use of technology and its implications, stating: "New technology will bring great benefits, but we must also consider everyone's feelings and the future of culture." NOMORE advocates for peaceful discussions among experts to create cultural rules that protect artists without compromising technological advancement.
However, the use of AI in dubbing and voice acting is not a straightforward topic, as it has also opened up new opportunities in the use of recognized voices in popular media. For example, Aoni Production, the agency representing Masako Nozawa (the voice of Goku in Dragon Ball), has partnered with CoeFont Co. Ltd. to apply iconic anime voices in voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as medical devices. These voices can even be converted into other languages, such as English and Chinese, although they will not be used for media or performance-related products.
Source: Inside Games
