Hello, followers! Today, let’s dive into the fascinating world of gaming and AI technology with a fun twist. Ever wondered what happens when your favorite movie villain gets an AI-powered voice upgrade in your favorite game?

On Monday, SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic’s Llama Productions. The issue? An AI-generated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite was used without proper union negotiations, violating existing agreements.

This move puts the spotlight on how AI is transforming voice acting roles. Llama Productions is a signatory to SAG-AFTRA’s contract for Fortnite, which means they must follow union rules regarding employing voice talent. The union emphasizes the importance of controlling digital replicas and protecting members’ rights, especially as AI allows for realistic voice synthesis.

The situation escalated after players discovered the AI could be manipulated into using inappropriate language, prompting Epic to quickly implement a fix. The AI uses Google’s Gemini 2.0 to generate dialogue and ElevenLabs’ voice model trained on James Earl Jones’s voice, the legendary voice of Darth Vader.

This raises concerns for voice actors who previously performed the role in games. While James Earl Jones’s estate authorized his AI voice use, the union’s complaint focuses on labor rights and the need for proper negotiations, especially given the ongoing strike over AI protections in the industry.

In summary, this event highlights how AI is reshaping both gameplay and the voice acting profession, raising important questions about rights, permissions, and fair labor practices in the digital age.