Voice actors within the video game, cartoon, and anime industries have come out against the use of AI websites that copy and sell their voices without their permission.
Last Friday, voice actor Steve Blum, known for his role as Spike Spiegel in the English dub of Cowboy Bebop, posted a PSA of sorts to his Twitter followers, warning them not to buy into any AI website that’s copied and sold his voice.
“Hey friends, I know AI technology is exciting, but if you see my voice, or any of the characters that I voice, offered on any of those sites, please know that I have not given my permission, and never will,” Blum tweeted. “This is highly unethical. We all appreciate your support. Thank you.”
Blum wasn’t the only one to share their concerns over AI sites copying and selling their voices for profit without their permission. Actor Sean Schemmel, the English voice for Dragon Ball Z’s Goku, was one of several who came out in solidarity with Blum in a reply saying he’s never…
2023-03-04 13:00:03 Your Favorite Voice Actors Call Out AI Sites Copying Voices Without Consent
Link from kotaku.com
Voice Actors Speak Out Against AI Websites Using Their Voices Without Permission
Voice AI technology has been advancing rapidly in recent years, and many websites and apps have been using synthetic voice technology to provide spoken content to their users. However, some of these companies have been using the voices of professional voice actors without permission, leading to a growing backlash among the voice acting community.
Earlier this year, a number of voice actors spoke out against the website “Resemble AI” for using their voices without permission. Resemble AI is a website that provides tools for creating synthetic voices, and it has been using voice samples from professional actors without their consent.
Voice actors who discovered their voices were being used on Resemble AI expressed their anger and frustration, with some calling the website’s actions “illegal” and “unethical.” They argued that their voices were their intellectual property and that they should have control over how they are used.
In response to the backlash, Resemble AI issued a statement apologizing for any “confusion and discomfort” caused by the use of voice samples without permission. The company said it had taken steps to ensure that all voice samples on its platform were obtained legally and with the consent of the original speakers.
Despite this apology, the issue of unauthorized voice usage remains a problem in the voice acting community. Many voice actors are concerned that their voices could be used in ways that they do not approve of, potentially damaging their reputation and livelihoods.
Some experts in the field have suggested that the issue of unauthorized voice usage could be addressed through the use of blockchain technology. By recording ownership of voice samples on a blockchain, it would be easier to trace and prove ownership, and prevent unauthorized use.
However, there are still many challenges to be overcome before blockchain-based solutions could be widely adopted. For example, it would be difficult to establish a global standard for voice ownership, and there would need to be a way of enforcing ownership rights across different jurisdictions.
In the meantime, voice actors are continuing to speak out against unauthorized voice usage, and are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the companies that use their voices. Only by working together and upholding the rights of voice actors can the industry ensure that their voices are used ethically and fairly in the growing world of voice AI technology.