Doug Cockle, the iconic voice of Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series, has expressed extreme frustration with artificial intelligence platforms that utilize his voice without permission. Cockle stated in an interview with Polygon that if he possessed the necessary resources, he would pursue legal action against every AI platform featuring his voice. He described these AI replications as "the bugbear of my life" and voiced serious concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to misrepresent his character and himself.
Cockle elaborated on his fears, explaining that AI could be used to make Geralt utter racist, misogynistic, or politically extreme statements. He emphasized that these are not mere digital imprints but are based on the performances of real people. "There are people behind these voices. They’re not just digital imprints," Cockle stated. He has previously voiced worries about the nefarious uses of generative AI, noting in 2023 that while AI is inevitable and will be adopted by developers, its application in filling NPC roles or background dialogue is concerning because it models on human voices without their explicit consent for such uses.
He recalled being approached by an AI company years ago to have his Geralt voice added to their database, a request he declined. This refusal stems not from a dislike of AI technology itself, but from the ongoing issue of voice actors, particularly those known for major roles, having their voices "ripped off." Cockle explained that he struggles to police these instances, as it happens frequently and would consume all his time. Even well-intentioned fan projects, such as Witcher mods, can impact voice actors' income, as each unauthorized use effectively represents a loss of potential earnings.
The danger escalates, Cockle warned, when AI is employed for malicious purposes. He highlighted the possibility of AI being used to create damaging fake news or false opinions, drawing parallels to its current use in political discourse. "AI is not the problem. It's the people using AI," he asserted.
Cockle also noted a shift in audience perception over the years. While players in the past may not have focused on the individuals behind the voices, there is now a growing interest in who voice actors are. This increased recognition makes the voices more personal, and Cockle stressed that "It's not just Geralt. That is my voice."
This issue is not isolated to Geralt. Other voice actors have publicly decried AI's misuse. Video game voice actors have previously spoken out against AI-generated explicit Skyrim mods, and Victoria Atkin, who voiced Evie Frye in Assassin's Creed Syndicate, referred to AI-generated mods as an "invisible enemy." Paul Eiding, the voice of Colonel Campbell in the Metal Gear Solid series, has also condemned the technology's application.
Recent reports also indicated that Saber Interactive, developer of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, used ChatGPT for its game Taxi Simulator, though the company denied replacing human writers. While unions like SAG-Aftra have negotiated contracts that include consent and disclosure for AI replica use, these agreements do not prevent the creation of unauthorized content using established AI platforms. This leaves established characters saying and doing anything users desire through AI manipulation.