Doug Cockle, the voice actor known for portraying Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series since 2007, has expressed strong opposition to the use of generative AI platforms that replicate his voice. In a recent interview, Cockle stated that if he possessed the necessary resources, he would pursue legal action against any AI platform utilizing his voice without consent.
The Impact of Voice Cloning
Cockle highlighted that platforms like Character.AI and Talkie allow users to interact with AI-driven versions of Geralt. These services often employ text-to-speech technology to mimic his distinct rasp, enabling the AI to engage in conversations that range from roleplay to personal discussion. For Cockle, the issue is not merely about the unauthorized use of his likeness, but the potential for these tools to be used in ways that compromise his professional and personal identity.
"They can make Geralt say horrible things. They could make Geralt a racist. They could make him a misogynist. They could make him have political views that are absolutely horrific," Cockle said regarding the potential for misuse.
Player Consequences and Concerns
While these companion bots are currently accessible to players looking for interactive roleplay experiences, the actor's stance underscores a growing tension regarding voice ownership in gaming. Because The Witcher 3 and its predecessors contain hundreds of hours of his recorded lines, this large dataset makes his voice particularly susceptible to AI synthesis. Cockle emphasized that the voices used in these digital environments belong to real people, warning that these AI-generated imprints lack the human agency of the original performer.
The sentiment expressed by Cockle aligns with broader industry discussions regarding the use of generative AI in game development, including concerns from legal experts about copyright risks and the potential for anti-AI clauses in future performer contracts.