The Japan Actors Union (JAU) has unveiled its initial set of guidelines concerning the use of generative artificial intelligence, aiming to address growing concerns among voice actors regarding the unauthorized replication of their voices. These guidelines, presented at a press conference, cover any audio recordings generated by AI that mimic an actor's voice, including applications in voice synthesis, deep learning, and machine learning.
Under the new rules, any entity wishing to use an actor's voice for AI purposes must obtain explicit consent from the performer at every stage of the process. If an AI company intends to use an actor's voice for training data, permission from the individual actor is required. Furthermore, the authorized use of AI-generated voices will be recognized as a form of performance, necessitating payment of salaries and/or royalties to the actors involved.
Several voice actors have voiced their opposition to the unauthorized use of AI voice technology. Masako Nozawa, widely recognized for her role as Goku in the Dragon Ball franchise, expressed her strong feelings, stating, "I can’t forgive them for using it without my permission. It makes me really angry, it’s no different than theft. My voice is mine, as are my performances, and if that’s going to be used, even a little bit, they should ask for permission." Nozawa also commented that an AI version of her voice she encountered "lacked heart."
The JAU, which represents approximately 2600 voice actors and performers, has issued these guidelines as one of the first comprehensive sets of rules in Japan addressing AI voice recordings. This initiative signals a firm stance against AI misuse in a country where the technology's application is often met with less resistance than in the United States. Given the relative strength of labor unions in Japan, the JAU's guidance is expected to influence the prevalence of unauthorized AI voice cloning.
This development comes as the Japanese government faces increasing scrutiny regarding generative AI, with issues ranging from cyberattacks to copyright infringement being debated. The JAU's announcement marks a significant moment as the nation continues to grapple with the ethical and legal implications of AI technology. Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his work in anime such as Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man, had previously pursued legal action against TikTok over the use of his voice on the platform, though the case was dismissed after the videos were removed. While some actors have explored the possibility of licensed AI voice replication for specific uses, the prevailing sentiment among Japanese voice actors is that the technology poses a significant threat to their work and future career opportunities.