Japanese acting union fights back against AI-generated voice use, proposing strict new guidelines, especially regarding the use of a deceased actor’s voice
By “Technological progress will continue, but…”
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The Japan Actors Union has released new protocols, guidelines, and limitations pertaining to AI-generated voice utilization. This encompasses a complete prohibition on the reproduction of the voices of deceased performers, unless the individual had sanctioned its usage during their lifetime.
According to Automaton, these guidelines aim to safeguard an industry that has faced exploitation by generative AI. One instance involves voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda (Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man) suing TikTok in an effort to eliminate AI-generated vocal reproductions from the platform. Although he ultimately lost that case, he established a precedent that an individual’s voice is entitled to protection under publicity rights legislation.
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The guidelines address four principal aspects. The first emphasizes consent and stipulates that approval must be obtained at “every step” of the generative AI process. This implies that AI firms need consent from actors prior to training models on their performances.
The second aspect asserts that AI reproductions of an actor’s work should be regarded as a new performance under the guidelines. This means royalties or remuneration must be compensated by AI firms to the actors involved.
Next are generative AI-driven translations, which transform an actor’s performance into another language automatically. These must preserve the “artistic integrity” of the original performance, as outlined in the guidelines, and cannot be utilized without permission in foreign territories.
Lastly, the Japan Actors Union addresses generative AI applications concerning a deceased actor’s oeuvre. The union’s rules prohibit the deployment of generative AI in this context, unless explicit permission was given by the actor for the software’s application while they were alive. Furthermore, an AI company would need authorization from the family of the deceased actor, the agency, or organization the actor was linked with, and to provide royalties.
“The Japan Actors Union will endeavor not only to establish these guidelines as industry-wide standards,
