AI-generated art has long been a subject of controversy, and the recent dispute has brought the debate back to life, as influential voice actors and game developers have shared their own perspectives on the matter.
Erica Lindbeck, a hugely acclaimed American actress known for her exceptional voice acting in movies, video games, and TV series, has attracted significant attention in recent days. This attention came as a result of a continuous controversy surrounding a Futaba AI cover video featuring Erica Lindbeck’s voice, which ultimately led her to delete her Twitter account.
The incident ignited a serious debate among fans, with some staunchly supporting Erica Lindbeck, while others accused her of engaging in a harassment campaign over what appeared to be an innocuous video.
Erica Lindbeck has done vocal acting in a number of anime series and video games. Her notable voice-over includes a wide range of titles like Hi-Fi Rush, Tell Me Why, and many others. However, it is her portrayal of Futaba, the resident hacker and iconic character known as Oracle, in Persona 5 that has solidified her as a highly recognized figure in the industry.
What is Futaba and Erica Linbeck’s controversy?
Following a public dispute regarding AI-generated voices, Erica Linbeck, the voice actor known for portraying Futaba Sakura in Persona 5, made the decision to delete her Twitter account.
The controversy began when a video featuring an AI-generated voice of Futaba “singing” a song called “Welcome To The Internet” by Bo Burnham surfaced online. It is important to note that AI-generated Futaba likely utilized and manipulated dialogue that Erica Linbeck had originally recorded for the Persona games.
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Erica Linbeck took a public stance by requesting the removal of the video, and the original post on YouTube was subsequently deleted. However, despite these actions, multiple channels have posted the AI cover, and numerous Twitter users responded to Erica Linbeck’s request with criticism instead of support. This backlash and negative response finally led Erica Linbeck to complete;y delete her Twitter account in response.
What did people say in support of Erica Linbeck?
Anna Webster, writer, and narrative designer, expressed her perspective on the controversy by stating that voice actors are essential collaborators in a project and not mere puppets to voice predetermined lines. According to Anna Webster, using someone’s recorded voice without their consent or proper credit is not only unethical but also peculiar.
She further talked about the concept of character ownership, stating that once a character is voiced by an artist, it ceases to be solely the creator and becomes a shared creation.
Anna Webster underlines the unique contribution that voice-over artist brings to characters, showcasing their expertise and creative vision in shaping the character’s portrayal.
Josh Keaton, known for his role in Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced his support for Erica Lindbeck amidst the ongoing controversy. Josh Keaton expressed that Lindbeck is a remarkable individual who does not deserve the negative treatment she has received.
In response to a comment, Josh Keaton further emphasized his stance, stating that there is no room for debate when it comes to theft, specifically referring to the use of AI programs to regenerate voices.
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Yuri Lowenthal, the Spider-Man game actor, showed his agreement with Josh Keaton’s comment by retweeting, “Seconded.” Another fan joined in to say that those who wish to hear Futaba sing should consider hiring an actual voice actor.
AI-generated art indeed raises serious questions about ethical consent and legal ownership. Valve, a prominent game developer, has acknowledged the legal uncertainty surrounding the use of data to train AI models.
This implies that AI tools often encroach upon existing copyrights, potentially infringing on the rights of content creators and intellectual property owners. The evolving landscape of AI technology brings forth complex challenges regarding the proper uses and legal implications of copyrighted materials in AI-generated works.
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