Konami deletes videos with AI voice-overs from Yu-Gi-Oh! event generated from uncredited actress

Konami’s AI live commentary project produced voice-overs for videos highlighting the August 29th Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship. Viewers noted that some narration sounded familiar to that of popular voice actress and singer Hibiku Yamamura. As Automaton reports, after protests from Yamamura, Konami has removed the videos.

Yamamura didn’t mention Konami in her social media post. Even so, it’s hard to imagine she wasn’t referring to the suspicious Yu-Gi-Oh! clips. Konami’s statement explains that it relied on the Anneli model, as a product of the AI voice generator Aivis Project. The software’s maker has since admitted that a character from another game, voiced by Yamamura, inspired the recordings. Pending an investigation, the AI tools are no longer available.

The use of generative AI in gaming, film, and television has become increasingly contentious. One area where problems have arisen is with voice acting. Companies like Konami aim to reduce the costs associated with hiring recognized talent, such as Yamamura. However, some AI voice generator programs utilize these actors and actresses without permission. That has led to numerous lawsuits as courts debate the legality of the practice.

Konami has heavily invested in AI

Konami reassures fans that no uncredited AI voices are present in games like Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel. The technology does play a large role in its music idol simulator, Shine Post: Be Your Idol. Rather than employing real-life singers for extensive recordings, AI modifies smaller samples as the idols’ talent evolves. Not all gamers are embracing this approach, with the developers admitting how the technology can be abused.

Despite the setback, it’s unlikely that Konami or other publishers will abandon the concept of machine-produced voice-overs. Still, as long as generative AI trains using humans, more disputes are inevitable.