AI Voice Clones' Ascent: Risk for 5000 Aussie Actors' Employment

Published Date: 30/06/2024

AI voice synthesizing technology is making rapid progress, raising concerns among voice actors that their jobs may be replaced by cheap AI clones.

The voice acting industry is on the brink of a revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) voice clones threatening to replace human voice actors in various roles. According to the Australian Association of Voice Actors (AAVA), an estimated 5,000 local voice actors are already in danger of losing their jobs.

The AAVA has expressed concern that corporate and radio roles are already being replaced by cheap generative AI clones, which could lead to a loss of quality, credibility, and humanity in the industry. The association's president, Simon Kennedy, emphasized the need for fair rules and protection for people's voices against being misused by AI.

Audiobooks are particularly at risk, with companies looking to cut costs by using AI voices. However, this could lead to a lack of human connection, causing listeners to lose interest. Corporate work and education material are also vulnerable to AI replacement, while advertising may take longer to be affected.

Some actors have expressed mixed reactions to the rise of AI voice clones. Cooper Mortlock, an Australian actor, worries that AI-generated scratch voices could undercut work by up-and-coming voice actors and limit creative scope. He also expressed concerns about the lack of transparency when AI is used, citing an instance where his voice was cloned and used without consent.

The AAVA is calling for laws to govern consent, control, and compensation around AI voice use, ensuring artists are paid fairly and have complete control over how their voices are used. Mortlock suggests a tax on the use of AI technology to compensate workers and greater transparency to prevent the 'wild west' scenario.

As AI voice cloning technology continues to advance, it is essential to address the concerns of voice actors and ensure a fair and ethical framework for its use.

FAQs:

Q: How many Australian voice actors are at risk of losing their jobs due to AI voice clones?

A: An estimated 5,000 local voice actors are already in danger of losing their jobs.

Q: What type of projects are most vulnerable to AI voice replacement?

A: Audiobooks, corporate work, and education material are particularly at risk.

Q: Why are some actors concerned about AI-generated scratch voices?

A: They worry that it could undercut work by up-and-coming voice actors and limit creative scope.

Q: What is the AAVA's stance on AI voice use?

A: The AAVA is calling for laws to govern consent, control, and compensation around AI voice use, ensuring artists are paid fairly and have complete control over how their voices are used.

Q: What solution does Cooper Mortlock propose to address the concerns of voice actors?

A: He suggests a tax on the use of AI technology to compensate workers and greater transparency to prevent the 'wild west' scenario.

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