Ashly Burch Warns of AI Threat to Game Art

Horizon series actress Ashly Burch has commented on the leaked AI Aloy demonstration video, leveraging the controversy to highlight key concerns voiced by striking performers.

A recently surfaced internal Sony presentation showcased AI technology using Horizon's protagonist Aloy, as first reported by The Verge. Sony has not provided comment to IGN regarding the matter.

The deleted footage featured Sony Interactive Entertainment engineering director Sharwin Raghoebardajal conversing with an AI-generated Aloy using voice commands and synthesized speech with robotic facial animations. When asked about her wellbeing, the digital Aloy responded: "Hello, I'm managing alright. Just dealing with a sore throat. How have you been?"

The simulation notably lacked Burch's vocal performance, instead utilizing generic text-to-speech audio accompanied by unrealistic facial expressions and vacant eye movements during the exchange.

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Burch, Aloy's original voice across all four Horizon titles (including Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, VR spinoff Call of the Mountain, and the upcoming Lego Horizon Adventures), confirmed via TikTok that Guerrilla Games assured her the demonstration didn't utilize her performance data nor represented active development plans. This suggests the AI version won't appear in the anticipated Horizon multiplayer project or eventual third mainline installment.

The actress expressed concern about AI's implications for performance artistry, connecting the incident to broader industry tensions during the ongoing voice actors' strike that has disrupted multiple major productions.

SAG-AFTRA recently acknowledged stalled negotiations regarding AI protections for game performers, noting significant unresolved issues despite some progress.

“Our core demands remain unchanged: mandatory consent for AI replicas, fair compensation, and transparency about usage,” Burch explained. “My concern isn’t technological advancement itself—it’s the potential exploitation of performers without safeguards.”

The actress emphasized her support for guild protections: “This fight ensures future generations can pursue acting careers in gaming. Without these safeguards, we risk compromising artistic integrity and performer rights.”

Burch highlighted existing interim contracts available for studios to adopt immediately, which include the requested protections.

@ashly.burch

let us speak on AI aloy

♬ original sound - Ashly Burch

The gaming industry's embrace of generative AI continues sparking debate amid widespread layoffs and creative concerns. Keywords Studios' unsuccessful all-AI game experiment highlighted current technological limitations, yet companies like Activision persist in implementing AI tools—recently confirming AI-generated assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 despite player criticism.

The performers' strike has visibly impacted major titles, with Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft reportedly containing silent NPCs in normally voiced sequences. Recent controversies include voice actor replacements discovered via patch notes and Activision recasting Black Ops 6 roles following fan feedback.

PlayStation executive Asad Qizilbash recently endorsed AI's potential for personalized gaming experiences tailored to younger generations accustomed to digital customization: "Dynamic NPC interactions could create deeper immersion for Gen Z and Alpha players seeking meaningful connections."