Harrison Ford, the iconic Indiana Jones actor, recently praised Troy Baker's performance as Indy in the video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, stating that it demonstrates the unnecessary use of artificial intelligence for voice acting. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Ford expressed his satisfaction with Baker's portrayal, emphasizing that genuine talent and creative vision are sufficient to capture the essence of a character. He quipped, "You don’t need artificial intelligence to steal my soul. You can already do it for nickels and dimes with good ideas and talent. He did a brilliant job, and it didn’t take AI to do it."
Released in December, The Great Circle offers an authentic, albeit potentially non-canonical, addition to the Indiana Jones franchise. This contrasts with the less-than-stellar reception of the latest Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, released in 2023. The game's positive reception might influence future franchise decisions, potentially shifting focus towards video game adaptations instead of relying on Ford's continued on-screen appearances.
Ford joins a growing chorus of creatives expressing concern over AI's role in filmmaking and other media. Notable figures such as Tim Burton, who described AI-generated art as "very disturbing," and Nicolas Cage, who deemed it a "dead end," share similar sentiments. The concerns extend to voice actors as well, with individuals like Ned Luke (Grand Theft Auto 5) and Doug Cockle (The Witcher) voicing their opposition to AI's use in voice cloning and its potential to negatively impact their livelihoods. While acknowledging AI's inevitability, they highlight its inherent dangers and the unethical implications of its current applications.