Hi-Rez Studios Revises Voice Actor Policy on AI Usage

Hi-Rez Studios, the company behind the popular game Smite, has revised its voice actor contract policies, specifically addressing the use of artificial intelligence technology. In a social media announcement, CEO Stewart Chisam introduced the updated policy while addressing concerns that the studio was using AI to replicate voice work without permission. The revised contract language now states that the client agrees not to use the performance to simulate the talent's voice or create a synthesized version of it. Previously, the contract included provisions that would have allowed the studio to use AI to reproduce an actor's voice if they were deceased or unable to perform, provided that the AI-generated content was beyond the scope of the original agreement and subject to the actor's or their estate's approval.