The unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI) is raising concerns among singers and voice artists, who fear that their jobs will be threatened by the technology. Mario Filio, a renowned Mexican artist known for his voiceovers for popular Hollywood films and animated characters, expressed his concerns, stating that they are fighting against a formidable adversary.
To address this issue, a coalition called United Voice Artists has been formed, consisting of more than 20 voiceover artists, associations, and unions from Europe, the US, and Latin America. They have launched a campaign with the slogan “Don’t steal our voices” to demand regulation and protect their livelihoods. These artists, who lend their voices to commercials, movies, audiobooks, and video games, are worried about being replaced by AI or having their voices cloned without their consent.
The coalition emphasizes the risks associated with the uncontrolled and indiscriminate use of AI, warning that it could lead to the extinction of a unique artistic heritage characterized by creativity and wonder, which machines are unable to replicate.
Key organizations that are part of this coalition include the US National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) and Latin America’s Organization of United Voices. Carin Gilfry, vice president of NAVA, emphasized the importance of having control over how their voices are used to sustain their livelihoods.
Voice artists were already grappling with text-to-speech technology, which transforms written words into synthetic voices. However, the emergence of AI has heightened their fears, as machine learning algorithms can analyze voice samples, identify patterns, and generate similar voices. This raises concerns about the right to use one’s voice without consent, as voiced by Dessiree Hernandez, president of the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcers.
As the debate around AI regulation continues, these voice artists and their coalition are striving to protect their artistic contributions and ensure that their voices remain a valuable and irreplaceable part of the creative industry.