The incorporation of artificial intelligence in the world of entertainment continues to generate controversy. This time, Epic Games, developer of the successful video game Fortnite, faces a formal complaint from the American union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). The reason: the use of an AI model to replicate the voice of Darth Vader, originally performed by James Earl Jones.
For the guild, this decision represents a violation of current labor standards and a direct threat to the job sources of professional actors and actresses. The controversy highlights an increasingly urgent debate: where are the ethical and legal boundaries in the use of technology to replace human talent?
A digital replica that reopens old fears
The controversy began when Epic Games introduced in Fortnite a chatbot that precisely imitated the voice of Darth Vader, without resorting to active actors. Although the company claims to have received authorization from Jones's family to use his voice, SAG-AFTRA warned that this doesn't solve the underlying problem: the replacement of artists by artificial intelligence.
According to the union, these practices erode labor rights and marginalize professionals who could contribute authentic and creative interpretations to the final product. The complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), in line with the actions the guild had already been promoting since last year's strike.
