The Halo Master lead actor doesn't want the AI to imitate his iconic voice

Master Chief and Cortana in Halo Infinite.

published
56 minutes ago

Vaspaan Dastoor is an editor for TheGamer. Previously worked at IGN India and constantly tries to get people to make time for LOTR marathons. He can be found giving hot takes to cold responses on @DastorVaspaan

James Earl Jones' portrayal of Darth Vader is perhaps the most iconic voice acting role of all time. Jones Vader's diction and fear has captivated fans for decades. It's no wonder, then, that many of us couldn't help but hear the AI-voiced version of Fortnite saying “Huck tuah” and dropping f-bombs.

Another iconic voice actor wants to make sure his voice doesn't suffer the same fate as Jones. Steve Downs, the voice behind Halo's Master Chief, has firmly stated that he is against the idea of having his voice imitated by an AI. As he spoke at a recent AMA, while AI has its benefits, it's not what he stands for.

The master lead actor does not want the AI to use his voice

Master Chief looking out at Pelican in Halo: The Evolved Campaign.

In a recently uploaded AMA video (thanks, GamesRadar), Downes answered a question about AI-voice acting and its ethics. “Deceiving someone, in my case, these are the lines that I actually spoke, when they weren't. That's where we cross a line that gets into an area that I'm uncomfortable with,” he said. “I'm not a supporter. I don't like it, and I don't want it to happen.”

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He admitted that the use of AI in development is inevitable and on the one hand “has many, many positive effects not only on show business but on humanity in general, but it can also be harmful, it can even deprive the actor of his job.” He said he's heard some AI recreations of his voice online. While he admits that many of them are harmless, it could easily go the other way. “I'll go on record with that,” Downs concluded.

Downes is the first voice actor to speak out against AI-generated voices. Baldur's Gate 3's Neil Newbon has stated several times that he hates the idea. Troy Baker claims that people will eventually get sick of it and seek more authentic experiences.