James Earl Jones' Darth Vader Voice Can Speak Anew with AI
2024-09-14
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1During his more than 60-year acting career, James Earl Jones' voice became a star of its own.
2Jones died this week at the age of 93.
3One of Jones' career decisions continues to be an issue of debate: his permission to let artificial intelligence (AI) reproduce his performances as Darth Vader for new projects.
4Skywalker Sound and Ukrainian software company Respeecher used AI to recreate Jones' Darth Vader for the 2022 show Obi-Wan Kenobi.
5The show appears on the streaming service Disney+.
6The voice of actor Mark Hamill was also "de-aged" using Respeecher.
7Hamill played Luke Skywalker in the first Star Wars movie.
8His AI-manufactured voice was used in the series' television show The Mandalorian.
9Disney+ launched the show in 2019.
10Voice actors say they fear AI could reduce the number of jobs because the technology can reproduce one performance into many.
11The concern led American unionized video game performers to go on strike in July.
12For some observers, Jones' decision to permit AI to reproduce his voice raises questions about voice acting as an art.
13But the decision also could help develop AI agreements that fairly pay actors for AI-based performances.
14Zeke Alton is a voice actor and member of SAG-AFTRA's interactive media agreement negotiating committee.
15He said it is "amazing" that Jones was involved in the process of reproducing his voice.
16"If the game companies, the movie companies, gave the consent, compensation transparency to every actor that they gave James Earl Jones, we wouldn't be on strike," Alton said.
17"It proves that they can do it. They just don't want to for people that they feel don't have the leverage to bargain for themselves."
18Hollywood's video game performers called for a strike after more than 18 months of negotiations over a new interactive media agreement with industry leaders.
19The negotiators could not reach an agreement on artificial intelligence protections.
20Members of the union have said they are not opposed to AI.
21They say they are worried, however, that technology could replace them.
22Concerns over such use of AI were among the reasons that film and television workers went on strike last year. The work stoppages went on for four months.
23Neither Skywalker Sound nor Respeecher answered a request for comment from Associated Press reporters.
24But a sound editor with Skywalker Sound spoke to Vanity Fair magazine about the issue.
25The worker reported that Jones approved the use of old recordings to keep Darth Vader alive.
26The worker added that Jones guided the new performances.
27Jones' contract could set an example of properly bargaining with an actor over their likeness, said Sarah Elmaleh.
28She is chair of SAG-AFTRA's interactive negotiating committee.
29Elmaleh, a voice actor, said there is a chance for these tools to be used in "meaningful, smart artistic decisions."
30I'm Caty Weaver.
1During his more than 60-year acting career, James Earl Jones' voice became a star of its own. Jones died this week at the age of 93. 2One of Jones' career decisions continues to be an issue of debate: his permission to let artificial intelligence (AI) reproduce his performances as Darth Vader for new projects. 3Skywalker Sound and Ukrainian software company Respeecher used AI to recreate Jones' Darth Vader for the 2022 show Obi-Wan Kenobi. The show appears on the streaming service Disney+. 4The voice of actor Mark Hamill was also "de-aged" using Respeecher. Hamill played Luke Skywalker in the first Star Wars movie. His AI-manufactured voice was used in the series' television show The Mandalorian. Disney+ launched the show in 2019. 5Voice actors say they fear AI could reduce the number of jobs because the technology can reproduce one performance into many. The concern led American unionized video game performers to go on strike in July. 6For some observers, Jones' decision to permit AI to reproduce his voice raises questions about voice acting as an art. But the decision also could help develop AI agreements that fairly pay actors for AI-based performances. 7Zeke Alton is a voice actor and member of SAG-AFTRA's interactive media agreement negotiating committee. He said it is "amazing" that Jones was involved in the process of reproducing his voice. 8"If the game companies, the movie companies, gave the consent, compensation transparency to every actor that they gave James Earl Jones, we wouldn't be on strike," Alton said. "It proves that they can do it. They just don't want to for people that they feel don't have the leverage to bargain for themselves." 9Hollywood's video game performers called for a strike after more than 18 months of negotiations over a new interactive media agreement with industry leaders. The negotiators could not reach an agreement on artificial intelligence protections. 10Members of the union have said they are not opposed to AI. They say they are worried, however, that technology could replace them. 11Concerns over such use of AI were among the reasons that film and television workers went on strike last year. The work stoppages went on for four months. 12Neither Skywalker Sound nor Respeecher answered a request for comment from Associated Press reporters. But a sound editor with Skywalker Sound spoke to Vanity Fair magazine about the issue. The worker reported that Jones approved the use of old recordings to keep Darth Vader alive. The worker added that Jones guided the new performances. 13Jones' contract could set an example of properly bargaining with an actor over their likeness, said Sarah Elmaleh. She is chair of SAG-AFTRA's interactive negotiating committee. Elmaleh, a voice actor, said there is a chance for these tools to be used in "meaningful, smart artistic decisions." 14I'm Caty Weaver. 15Caty Weaver adapted this story for VOA Learning English from reports by the Associated Press and Reuters. 16__________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18consent - n. approval of what is done or suggested 19compensation - n. payment in the form of salary or wages 20transparency - n. the quality or state of being transparent 21leverage - n. power, effectiveness 22bargain - v. to negotiate over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract 23properly - adv. in an acceptable or suitable way