Grand Theft Auto voice actor Ned Luke, known for his role as Michael De Santa in GTA 5, has expressed dissatisfaction with an AI chatbot using his voice.

In response to a post from AI company WAME promoting a chatbot for realistic conversations with Michael De Santa, Luke called it “unacceptable” and urged against supporting such deceptive use of his voice. WAME promptly removed the chatbot and related materials from the internet, acknowledging the ethical and legal concerns raised.

Luke emphasized his stance by tagging Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games and the actors’ union Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). In addressing the controversy, WAME pledged to protect the rights of voice actors and creators while promoting ethical AI practices, recognizing the need for balance between technological advancement and legal considerations.

This incident adds to the ongoing discussion within the gaming industry about the impact of AI on voice actors. Luke joins others, like The Witcher voice actor Doug Cockle, in highlighting the potential threat AI poses to their livelihood. Cissy Jones, another voice actor, has taken a proactive approach by founding Morpheme.ai, aiming to empower voice actors to embrace AI on their terms and maintain control over their voices.