Ashly Burch Addresses AI Impact on Art via Aloy Video

Horizon voice actress Ashly Burch has responded to the AI-generated Aloy video that recently surfaced online, using it to highlight the concerns of striking voice actors.

Last week, The Verge reported on an internal Sony video showcasing technology that uses Aloy from the Horizon series to demonstrate AI-driven characters. Sony has not yet responded to IGN’s request for comment.

In the now-deleted video, Sony Interactive Entertainment director of software engineering, Sharwin Raghoebardajal, holds a conversation with an AI-powered version of Aloy through voice prompts and AI-generated speech and facial animations. Raghoebardajal asks Aloy how she is feeling, to which she replies: "Hello, I'm managing alright. Just dealing with a sore throat. How have you been?"

The voice coming from Aloy is clearly not Burch’s but a robotic one similar to common text-to-speech generators. AI Aloy’s facial movements appear stiff, and her eyes seem lifeless during the conversation with Raghoebardajal.

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Burch, who has voiced Aloy in all four Horizon games released to date (Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain, and Lego Horizon Adventures), confirmed on TikTok that she saw the video. She noted that Horizon developer Guerrilla reached out to clarify the tech demo was not part of active development and did not use any of her performance data—either vocal or facial. This likely rules out an AI Aloy for the upcoming Horizon multiplayer title and a potential Horizon 3. However, as Burch emphasized, Guerrilla (and parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment) retains full ownership of the Aloy character.

Considering these points, Burch expressed concern that the AI Aloy video made her “worried about game performance as an art form.” She used the incident as a platform to discuss the ongoing video game voice actors’ strike, which has affected various high-profile productions recently.

Last week, the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) provided members with an update on negotiations for AI protections, noting that although progress had been made, the parties remained "frustratingly far apart" on core issues with industry representatives.

“What we are fighting for currently is the requirement to obtain our consent before creating any form of AI replica, fair compensation for its use, and transparency about how these AI versions are employed,” Burch stated.

“My concern isn’t about the technology itself. It’s not even about game companies wanting to use it—of course they do, as they always adopt new technological advances. What worries me is imagining a similar video featuring someone’s actual performance—their voice, face, or movements. If we lose this battle, that person could have no legal options or protections, no way to challenge it. That possibility deeply saddens and frightens me. I care deeply about this industry and art form, and I want there to be future generations of actors, more incredible game performances, and the chance to keep doing this work. Failure to win these protections seriously threatens that future.

“I’m really not trying to single out any particular game company,” Burch continued. “Certainly not Guerrilla. The technology itself isn’t the issue, nor is the desire of game companies to implement it. The real problem is that we are on strike because the bargaining group refuses to grant us basic, common-sense safeguards.

“I support the strike and always have. I believe fighting for these protections is essential to preserving the future and viability of this profession we all value so highly.”

Burch also referred to the temporary union contracts currently available, which include all the protections that striking voice actors are demanding. Any video game company can sign these agreements immediately. “Interim, tiered, and low-budget agreement contracts are ready for any game company to adopt right now,” Burch explained. “I firmly believe we deserve to be protected.”

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♬ original sound - Ashly Burch

Generative AI remains a highly debated topic in the video game and entertainment sectors, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. It has faced backlash from players and creators over ethical and rights concerns, as well as AI’s limitations in producing content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios tried to develop an experimental game using only AI. The project ultimately failed, with Keywords admitting to investors that AI “could not replace human talent.”

Despite this, several video game companies continue to integrate generative AI into their development processes. Activision recently acknowledged using generative AI for certain assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as part of new Steam requirements, amid criticism over an “AI-generated” zombie Santa loading screen.

The voice actor strike has already impacted a number of video games. Players have observed that titles such as Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft appear to have unvoiced NPCs in otherwise fully voiced sequences, likely due to the strike. Late last year, SAG-AFTRA took action against League of Legends after Riot allegedly attempted to bypass the strike by canceling a project in response. Activision also confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 characters were recast after users raised concerns about the new voice work.

Just last week, two voice actors for Zenless Zone Zero stated they only realized they had been replaced after reading the game’s latest update notes.

Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and head of product at PlayStation Studios, recently commented on AI, stating its role in games is especially important for Gen Z and Gen Alpha players who look for “customization in all aspects.”

“For example, non-player characters could interact with players depending on their actions, creating a more tailored experience,” Qizilbash explained. “This resonates with younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences, the first generations raised entirely in the digital era, who seek personalization and more meaningful interactions."