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Voice actors in Japan call for rules on AI-generated content

Nov 14 (NHK) - Voice actors and others in Japan's entertainment industry have called for creating rules on the use of voices generated by artificial intelligence.

Three groups held a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday and released a joint statement.

The statement says permission by actors should be required to use their voices as data to be learned by generative AI. It says audio or video content should clearly disclose the use of AI-generated voices.

The groups also call for not using AI-generated voices to dub anime works or foreign films.

They say there have been cases in which audio or video content was created using AI without permission, then posted online or sold. For example, simulated voices of anime characters were used to have them sing songs.

The groups say they plan to ask the government, production companies and AI-related firms to develop rules on using AI-generated voices.

Ikemizu Michihiro, a voice actor who belongs to one of the groups, expressed concern that creators in the field of culture and art may suffer a heavy blow from generative AI and they may not be able to pass on their skills.

He stressed the need to show model cases for appropriate use of AI to enable coexistence with the technology.

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