Voice of Evangelion’s Shinji Speaks Out Against AI Cloning Concerns

In a recent chat with TBS News Dig, renowned Japanese voice actor Megumi Ogata, famous for her role as Shinji in Neon Genesis Evangelion, opened up about the impact of AI voice cloning on actors and their craft. Her comments come as the Japanese government is mulling over new legal frameworks to protect voice likenesses and combat this growing concern.

Ogata expressed her discomfort regarding the rise of AI mimicking voices on platforms like TikTok, stating that it’s an issue she can’t ignore. “My voice is a part of my identity,” she explained. “I find it hard to understand why someone would want to make me say things against my will and then profit from it. It’s truly heartbreaking.”

She challenged Japan, a nation known for its cultural exports, to take definitive action regarding content rights. “Why can’t we have clear policies that say, ‘this is our stance,’ or recognize this as a significant issue?” Ogata’s sentiments reflect a broader concern shared by fellow voice actors, including Wes Johnson, who has criticized the unethical use of AI in gaming mods without an actor’s consent.

Jennifer Hale, another veteran in the voice acting world, has called on studios to take greater responsibility regarding AI technologies, while at the recent BAFTAs, cast members from Baldur’s Gate 3 expressed their frustrations over AI voice cloning practices.

Interestingly, the debate isn’t limited to big production companies. Ogata, Johnson, and Amelia Tyler, the narrator from Baldur’s Gate 3, are also worried about content creators and modders who might exploit this technology. Regardless of intent, the idea of using someone’s voice without permission can be quite unsettling, even if it’s merely for a harmless joke.