MIXI announced that it would put on hold a plan to use an AI-generated voice modeled on Monster Strike character Gabriel in its news feature.
MIXI announced a project called “MIXI News Release by AI Gabriel,” which would use an AI-generated voice modeled on Gabriel, a character from the smartphone game Monster Strike, to introduce MIXI news releases. The plan drew a wave of criticism on X over the use of AI to generate the voice of an existing character. Criticism of the project itself subsequently spread.
In an announcement on 24 September, MIXI said it would put the project on hold, adding that it would “reconsider the content and format.” In a video, the AI-generated voice was used to introduce itself, and MIXI explained that it would use recorded audio made with the voice actor’s consent. It also said that the project itself would be reconsidered.
At the time of the initial announcement, MIXI had disclosed that the voice was AI-generated but had not mentioned that the voice actor’s consent had been obtained or that audio had been recorded. The criticism included comments such as “Please place greater importance on voice rights” and “If you are going to use an AI-generated voice, you should use an original character.” MIXI’s response going forward is being closely watched.