French Voice Cast of Apex Legends Launches Battle Against AI

The actors lending their voices to the French version of Apex Legends are taking a stand, refusing to sign an agreement that would use their voices for AI training. This insight comes from Pascale Chemin, the voice behind Wraith in the French localization of the popular battle royale game. Chemin took to Twitter to share that a clause snuck into their contracts by what seems to be Electronic Arts, aimed to repurpose their vocal performances to train AI systems. While the game and publisher aren’t directly named, the evidence strongly suggests Apex Legends and EA are in the spotlight.

Additionally, it’s not just Chemin who is pushing back. Thirty-one other voice actors involved with the project have also declined to sign. Together, they’ve crafted a formal letter refusing the terms set out by the publisher.

“If we’re not standing together now, pushing to have a protective clause for our voices officially embedded in our contracts—not only for us but extending to every video game dubbing studio—we might never see that protection, leading us toward an inevitable disaster,” Chemin expressed in a message translated by ResetEra.

She went on to acknowledge the difficult realities many in their profession are currently facing. “Opting not to work right now might seem ridiculous. There’s hardly any work to begin with for many of us, and we’re financially stretched thin. Of course, we’d welcome a paycheck. But what’s truly at stake here is more than just work. It’s about handing over our skills to train AI systems that could ultimately replace us. Essentially, we’re being asked to collaborate on the very thing we’re opposing. It’s like being cornered into self-sabotage, being expected to support AI development at our own expense.”