Masako Nozawa condemns unauthorized AI voice cloning

Masako Nozawa, the long-time voice actress for Goku in Dragon Ball, has publicly condemned the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence to replicate voice actors' voices. Speaking at a press conference in Japan, Nozawa described the use of her voice without permission as “unacceptable” and likened it to theft.

Nozawa emphasized that while AI might achieve a near-perfect sonic imitation, it lacks the emotional depth essential to professional acting. She noted that true performance, such as a convincing crying scene, requires authentic human feeling that technology cannot replicate. She stated, “It might even be a perfect copy. But it has no heart, right? Without heart, there can be no good result, in whatever role.”

In response to growing concerns regarding voice cloning, the Japanese Actors Union has introduced new industry guidelines for generative AI. These guidelines advocate for mandatory prior consent at every stage—from training and audio generation to publication—and emphasize the necessity of fair compensation for performers.