James Earl Jones’ Passing Marks Milestone for Debate about AI-Generated Voices

Iconic voice preserved through AI: James Earl Jones, who passed away at 93 on Monday, had given Lucasfilm permission to recreate his legendary Darth Vader voice using artificial intelligence.

• Jones, known for voicing Darth Vader in numerous Star Wars properties, expressed interest in concluding his role as the Sith Lord after providing lines for “The Rise of Skywalker.”
• Lucasfilm partnered with Ukrainian company Respeecher to create an AI-generated version of Jones’ Vader voice, based on his past performances.
• The AI-generated voice was used in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series, with Jones’ approval to use his archive for training the speech model.

AI in entertainment: A turning point: Jones’ passing marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about AI-generated performances in the entertainment industry.

• The recent Hollywood actors’ strike highlighted concerns about using past performances to train AI models without permission.
• SAG-AFTRA successfully negotiated guardrails around AI use in recreating performances, raising questions about how these rules will apply to future Darth Vader appearances.
• The situation with Jones and Vader presents a unique case, as the actor had given consent for his voice to be recreated using AI before his death.

Voice acting and AI: A sensitive issue: The recreation of vocal performances using AI has become a particularly contentious topic in the entertainment industry.

• Paul McCartney’s use of AI to create a “new” Beatles song from old recordings sparked discussions about the ethics of posthumous collaborations.
• Scarlett Johansson’s reaction to OpenAI’s voice assistant demo, which she felt sounded similar to her voice in the film “Her,” highlights the personal nature of vocal performances.
• Video game voice actors are currently on strike, seeking protections for their vocal performances in the face of advancing AI technology.

Future of Darth Vader: The continuation of the iconic character now faces both technical and emotional considerations.

• While Jones gave permission for his voice to be used, questions remain about how Lucasfilm and Disney will approach future Vader appearances in light of the actor’s passing.
• The reception of AI-generated Vader performances may depend on how they are integrated into future Star Wars content, with cameos or flashbacks potentially being more palatable than full-fledged features.
• The situation presents a test case for how audiences will respond to AI recreations of beloved performances after an actor’s death.

Posthumous performances and AI: Jones’ decision to allow AI recreation of his voice before his passing sets a precedent in the entertainment industry.

• Unlike previous posthumous appearances, such as Audrey Hepburn in commercials or hologram Tupac at concerts, Jones actively participated in the planning for his voice’s future use.
• The success of AI-generated Vader appearances will likely depend on how they are handled and presented to audiences.
• This case may influence how other actors and celebrities approach the preservation of their performances for future use.

Broader implications: The use of AI to recreate James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader voice raises important questions about the future of performance and legacy in the digital age.

• The technology opens up new possibilities for preserving iconic performances and characters, but also introduces ethical considerations about the appropriate use of an actor’s likeness after their death.
• As AI technology continues to advance, the entertainment industry will need to grapple with balancing artistic integrity, audience expectations, and respect for performers’ legacies.
• The case of Darth Vader may serve as a benchmark for how the industry and audiences navigate the complex intersection of AI, performance, and posthumous representation in the years to come.