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AI voice clones pose an ‘existential crisis’ for actors: ‘It’s a violation of our humanity’

AI voice clones pose an ‘existential crisis’ for actors: ‘It’s a violation of our humanity’

  • 24.03.2025 03:00
  • latimes.com
  • Keywords: AI, Voice Acting

AI voice cloning threatens voice actors' jobs and autonomy, as their voices can be replicated without consent for profit, leading to ethical dilemmas and financial losses. Many actors are fighting back legally, while others adapt by embracing AI technology to protect their interests.

Microsoft NewsMicrosoft ProductsAAPLsentiment_dissatisfiedMSFTsentiment_dissatisfied

Estimated market influence

Character.AI

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

The company is under fire for allegedly releasing chatbots that harmed the mental health of young people.

ScanSoft

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Used Bennett's voice without her knowledge or compensation.

Apple

Apple

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Bennett's voice was used for Siri without her consent or payment.

TikTok/ByteDance

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Standing's voice was cloned and used without her knowledge or compensation.

Lovo

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Cloned voices of Lehrman and Sage without their consent or payment.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Clarke's voice was used in Revoicer via a licensing agreement without her knowledge.

ElevenLabs

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Worked with Carter to create a paid voice clone and has safeguards against misuse.

Context

Analysis: AI Voice Cloning's Impact on the Voice Acting Industry

Market Impact

  • Rise of AI voice cloning: Requires only seconds of audio to replicate voices, leading to unauthorized use without consent or compensation.
  • Job displacement: Voice actors face reduced opportunities as AI clones replace them in cheaper and faster ways.
  • Financial strain: Many voice actors earn less than $10,000 annually, with 80% lacking union representation, making it harder to protect their livelihoods.

Competitive Dynamics

  • Ethical concerns: Actors like Nick Meyer refuse AI jobs due to moral objections, risking career opportunities.
  • Legal battles: Cases like Susan Bennett (Siri) and Bev Standing (TikTok) highlight unauthorized voice use, leading to lawsuits against companies like Apple and ByteDance.
  • Proactive solutions: Some actors, such as Bob Carter, embrace AI by creating paid clones with controlled usage, while others resist due to ethical concerns.

Legal & Ethical Considerations

  • Lack of protections: Many contracts include vague language allowing voice use in "technology known or yet to be developed."
  • Union efforts: The National Assn. of Voice Actors is pushing for contract riders requiring consent and compensation, though retroactive enforcement is limited.
  • Privacy violations: Realistic clones can be created from minimal audio, raising concerns about unauthorized use and potential misuse (e.g., in harmful content).

Industry Response

  • Consumer awareness: Publicity from actors like Remie Michelle Clarke has raised awareness about voice cloning's ethical implications.
  • Technological safeguards: Companies like ElevenLabs implement measures to prevent misuse but acknowledge no single solution is foolproof.
  • Regulatory pressure: The industry awaits clearer guidelines and regulations to address AI-driven voice replication challenges.

Long-Term Effects

  • Shift in labor dynamics: AI may redefine the role of human voice actors, potentially creating new revenue streams for those who adapt.
  • Cultural impact: Unauthorized use of voices raises broader concerns about privacy, intellectual property, and cultural representation.
  • Potential market expansion: While AI clones threaten traditional roles, they could also create demand for unique, human-sourced voice content in a saturated market.

This analysis underscores the urgent need for industry-wide collaboration to balance innovation with ethical safeguards, ensuring voice actors retain control over their work while adapting to AI-driven changes.