Key facts
- Actors are campaigning for legal ownership of their voices against AI cloning.
- The 'Save Our Voices Now' campaign has garnered support from over 80 performers.
- Concerns include identity theft, artistic rights, and the rapid advancement of AI technology.
- A petition calls for legislative control over AI voice cloning.
- 28% of UK adults have been targeted by voice-cloning scams.
A coalition of actors, including Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville, and Nicola Coughlan, are backing the 'Save Our Voices Now' campaign, urging the UK government to introduce legislation that would grant individuals legal ownership of their voices. The performers are concerned that AI voice cloning technology poses an existential threat to their industry, enabling voice theft and identity fraud.
Co-founder Alice Sockett described the situation as "an existential threat to our entire industry" and noted that "voice theft increase[s] every week." The campaign highlights that quick voice clones can be made from seconds of audio, while high-quality copies require hours. More than 80 performers have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with actress Siobhán McSweeney expressing worry that legislation is not keeping pace with AI advancements.
A government spokesperson acknowledged that while digital replicas can be beneficial, they also carry risks. The government plans to launch a consultation on how to address these harms while protecting legitimate innovation. The campaign also points to a significant number of UK adults, 28%, who have been targeted by voice-cloning scams.
In contrast, some individuals who have lost their ability to speak due to illness, such as Yvonne Johnson with motor neurone disease, have found AI voice cloning technology beneficial, helping them reconnect with family. Denmark has already implemented reforms granting citizens legal ownership of their voice, face, and body.