A coalition of Japanese voice actors has raised their voice in protest against the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI) generation.pointing out the risk it represents for performers within the anime industry. In a recently 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 objective is to raise awareness about the theft of voices 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 NOMORE launch video, Nakao describes the serious problems that voice actors face due to the misuse of AI. In the video description, 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 authorization.“, reads the statement.
Nakao expresses his indignation in the video: “My voice was being sold without my permission. I was shocked“, emphasizing that the voices of the actors are their main work tool and, in many cases, their livelihood. The video culminates with the rest of the actors in the coalition appearing on screen and shouting together “NO MORE (NO MORE).”
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 highlights the importance of avoiding this 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 declare in the video.
Additionally, 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 simple topic, as it has also opened up new opportunities in the use of well-known voices in popular media. For example, Aoni Production, the agency that represents Masako Nozawa (Goku's voice in Dragon Ball), has partnered with CoeFont Co. Ltd. to apply iconic anime voices to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as medical devices. These voices can even be converted to other languages, such as English and Chinese, although they will not be used for media or performance-related products.
Fountain: Inside Games
