Jennifer English, a prominent voice in the gaming industry, has captured the attention of audiences with her performances in Baldur’s Gate 3 as Shadowheart, Elden Ring as Latenna, and most recently, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as Maelle. At the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, she shared her candid opinion on the use of generative AI in game development.
Jennifer English’s Stand on Generative AI
As a voice actor, Jennifer English is directly affected by the increasing use of generative AI in games. Despite its prevalence, English voices a strong opposition. When asked about it, she simply stated, “Don’t.” She elaborated, emphasizing the value of human creativity and the beauty in mistakes and imperfections. “Use your beautiful, creative human brains. I get it, AI is a tool, but not to replace creativity. Mistakes are beautiful, mistakes are wonderful, flaws are wonderful. Keep them in, keep it human. Be cool, guys, don’t be weird.”
The debate over AI in the industry continues, as shown by the mixed reception to Embark Studios’ use of AI-generated voices in their games, The Finals and ARC Raiders. Such practices highlight the conflict between technological advancement and the creative workforce.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Triumph
Amidst the AI debate, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shone brightly at the Golden Joystick Awards, sweeping every category it was nominated in, including ‘Best Lead Performance’ for Jennifer English’s portrayal of Maelle. The game also claimed the night’s top honor, Ultimate Game of the Year. As it heads to The Game Awards next month with a record-setting 12 nominations, English stands poised to compete for Best Performance alongside her co-stars, making Clair Obscur a strong contender.
The Industry’s AI Dilemma
Despite English’s firm stance against AI, its implementation in game development is undeniable. Reports suggest that even Sandfall Interactive faced scrutiny for allegedly using AI-generated assets in Clair Obscur. Although these assets were reportedly replaced, the incident underscores the ongoing tension surrounding AI in creative processes. In contrast, studios like Epictellers Entertainment argue that AI has no place in creativity. Meanwhile, the gaming world continues to navigate this complex issue.
Jennifer English remains a vocal advocate for human creativity, but the industry continues to grapple with the integration of AI at various stages of game development.
English’s simple yet powerful response at the awards, “Don’t,” encapsulates her firm stand against AI replacing human creativity.