If you've spent a few minutes online over the past 24 hours, you are no doubt aware that Fortnite has an AI-powered Darth Vader in the game right now. While the feature is live, players can chat with Vader, and he will respond in character. Or, well... as in character as he can be while apparently being aware of what Family Guy is.
However, it has also kicked off a debate on the ethics of AI implementation in video games, due to the fact that Darth Vader's lines are generated from the voice of his longtime actor, James Earl Jones. Some feel that this is a positive example of the technology, since it was created with the permission of Jones' family. However, others feel that it is disrespectful to both Jones and the craft as a whole, considering that many actors are currently fighting to stop generative AI from taking up acting jobs.
On one side of the debate, some argue that generative AI like this is always bad, no matter the circumstances. Most of those who take this stance highlight how it could hurt other actors, since big companies like Epic would find it appealing to replace them...
