BURBANK: Oh, hi! The technology driving artificial intelligence is certainly advancing, but it never captures the essence of Mickey Mouse, according to the man who voices the Disney mascot.
As part of Disney’s upcoming 100th anniversary celebrations, AFP spoke with animator, archivist and Mickey Mouse voice actor Brett Iwan about Disney’s past and future, including the potential for AI that is currently rocking Hollywood.
“Well, of course, I think there’s some great technology being developed with AI, and that’s pretty impressive,” Aiwan said.
“But I don’t think anything can replace the heart of the character and, more importantly, the heart of the storytelling.”
Artificial intelligence, and the threat it poses to professions across the entertainment industry, has been causing constant problems in Hollywood this summer.
The AFP visit to Disney’s sprawling studios near Los Angeles comes amid concerns that writers will be replaced by AI as they go on strike. .
The issue is also one of the demands being negotiated by Hollywood actors who may go on strike as early as Thursday over fears AI will duplicate their voices and likenesses.
But for Aiwan, characters and storytelling are “specific to performers, writers, animators, artists and creators.”
“We have to keep real people doing the work for a while, believing that part will survive!”
Aiwan is one of only four people to ever provide the official voice of Mickey Mouse.
