The Japan Actors Union has introduced a set of proposed guidelines aimed at regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence in voice acting, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of performers, including those who have passed away. The union, which represents approximately 2,600 actors and voice actors, is advocating for consent to be a mandatory requirement at every stage of AI voice usage.
Under the proposed measures, companies would be required to disclose when an actor's voice data is used for AI training. Furthermore, negotiations for compensation would be necessary, treating the use of an actor's voice akin to licensing their likeness for commercial products. These consent stipulations would extend to AI-translated performances. A more stringent approach is proposed for the mimicry of deceased actors' voices. The guidelines would outright ban the use of AI to replicate the voice of a deceased performer unless explicit consent was obtained from them prior to their death. Additionally, permission would be required from the actor's surviving family, estate, or designated administrator, with royalty payments to be made to these parties.
The union stated, "It protects the dignity, honor, and legacy of deceased performers from commercial exploitation." They emphasized the importance of respecting the wishes of individuals during their lifetime and ensuring that the generation of AI voice models strictly requires permission from the inheritors of their rights to prevent the desecration of their legacy. This initiative comes amid growing concerns within the entertainment industry, both in Japan and globally, regarding the ethical implications and potential misuse of AI voice cloning technology. Concerns have been voiced by actors who feel AI voice acting lacks the human element essential to performance.
These proposed guidelines appear to be a measured response to the evolving landscape of AI in creative industries, seeking to balance technological advancement with the protection of artists' rights and legacies. The effectiveness and broader adoption of these measures within the Japanese entertainment sector and beyond will be closely watched.