Technology is one of the most fascinating, but also frightening, aspects of our modern society. For every technological breakthrough that is made, people don’t know whether to rejoice or be terrified by the implications that they bring with them. AI (or Artificial Intelligence) is the latest discovery that has divided the internet. Sure, you can do interesting things with platforms like ChatGPT or Midjourney. Things that maybe you saw on the feed of your favorite social network and made you think “Wow. Interesting” for a few seconds. But this new revolution in AI also comes with its drawbacks.
Artificial Intelligence has caused a lot of controversy in the world of art, illustrations, writing and, for the purpose of this column, voice acting, dubbing, and narration. It is important to stress the importance of this medium: Voice actors not only give life to our favorite characters from movies, series or animation, but they are also the voices that we hear in our daily lives in advertisements or announcements. However, irresponsible implementation is affecting the present and future of the voice acting industry. So: Why is this happening? What is the opinion of the professionals impacted? What can be done to prevent it?
We also had the opportunity to talk to a voice actor involved in the issue, who gave us a good explanation about the situation and how it can be controlled in a way that everyone involved can benefit.
What is the problem with AI?
In recent years, we have seen a surge in the use of Artificial Intelligence tools on the internet. With just a couple of precise indications (Known as “prompts” in the community) anyone with minimum knowledge in computing can create a variety of things using these tools: Paintings, illustrations, photorealistic images and even entire videos. At first, it was funny, as they were used to making absurd and harmless memes, but quickly these began to harm people’s work.
Numerous artists saw their work plagiarized by these new tools. The same happened with photographers, animators and video editors. Eventually, this affected voice actors and narrators. Tools like Murf, Resemble, ReadSpeaker, Respeecher and many more can use voice samples of a few minutes and recreate a person’s voice perfectly. You just have to write a script and the application will say everything almost perfectly (Although it has its flaws that we will explore later) It’s impressive… and also somewhat intimidating.
It also started as an “innocent toy” that people used to create memes. You’ve surely seen those comedy videos where Joe Biden and Donald Trump have a conversation while playing video games together. Obviously, no one would ever believe that would be reality. But, slowly, AI was used to spread misinformation, by making important people “say” things that they never actually said. Replicating someone’s voice perfectly is something worrisome, as you can do countless things with malicious purposes.
In this tweet from @Carlhillos (a Spanish dubbing actor) we can see how efficient artificial intelligence can be right now, and how fast it evolved in recent years. By comparing the natural voice of BTS singer Jungkook with an imitation made with Artificial Intelligence: The differences are almost nonexistent, the tool replicates his nuances, his imperfections, his changes of rhythm, etc. Maybe someday we’ll hear a musical performance made by an artificial intelligence imitating an artist, and we won’t even be able to tell. This won’t happen in the near or distant future, it’s happening right now.
Keep in mind that a company will always have one priority in mind: Making money. It’s a sad reality, yes. But they will always do whatever they can to cut costs where they can. Another sad reality is that voice actors have never been able to get the respect they deserve, so many businessmen won’t hesitate to get rid of them when Artificial Intelligence has been perfected to replicate the cadence, tone, and sound of their voices. Why pay a professional voice actor when I can use an artificial intelligence tool for free that will do it faster, for free and also can sound exactly like a celebrity I like?
What do voice actors think?
This scenario turns out to be worrying about many voice actors and narrators. Not to mention other jobs, such as writers or illustrators. There have already been cases where voice acting jobs in the industry, such as in video games or YouTube videos, have been replaced in favor of using a tool instead. Most people notice the difference in this, and say that these tools cannot imitate the work of a professional perfectly. But this doesn’t matter to companies, as long as artificial intelligence does an “adequate” performance it will be enough for them. And as this technology is perfected, they will be able to reduce human actors little by little.
Voice actors have begun to take action: Numerous talents in the industry have already come out to complain on various social networks about the dangers of this technology. Many of them have started writing special clauses in their contracts and on their networks, stating that they do not approve of their voice being used to replicate it through these tools. It’s a shame that actors have to go to these extremes, but if they’re not careful, they could lose many roles where their voices would be used, and they wouldn’t see a dime in return.
But not all professionals think alike: Some voice actors are in favor of Artificial Intelligence. As they see them as tools, as the new technological innovation. Many of them have donated their voices and their work to various companies creating these tools so that they can be used in these. Because not only do they seek to replicate specific voices, but they also seek to have their own licensed voices for narration or acting.
A notable example is James Earl Jones, the 92-year-old American actor who played Darth Vader in all Star Wars movies. He gave Lucasfilm and Respeecher company rights to his voice, so they can use it in future projects. There will be no need to hire an imitator or anything like that, they will be able to recreate the original character’s voice as many times as they want.
During last April, Writers Guild of America (WGA) decided they will go on strike to demand more rights in their work environment. Of course, there are many reasons why they want to claim, but there is one particular one caught our attention : “Regulate use material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies” this means tools have had strong enough impact on industry so many actors, voice actors writers need to claim regulation.
Is harmony possible between AI and Voice Artists?
Daniel Soler de la Prada is a talented Spanish voice actor, announcer, singer, and voice pedagogue from Colombia with more than 25 years of experience. He is one of co-founders current president Organization United Voices (OVU in Spanish), which fighting regulation of Artificial Intelligences rights to voice artists before this emerging technology. We had pleasure contacting Daniel, who explained his perspective on this issue, how everything affecting his industry.
“Impact beginning feel now in Latin America, but English-speaking world has been living past 2 years” says Daniel, explaining problem Artificial Intelligences already affecting voice actors in United States (other English-speaking countries) years ago, just now we’re seeing effects in our region. Daniel says they aware every new technological innovation made, regulations must create to ensure not used in unethical ways.
Although many people see “war” between voice actors Artificial Intelligences something fulminating, Daniel surprised us telling us coexist fact new types of professionals emerged thanks to technology : “OVU, organization, commitment raise its voice to represent our industry, so representatives can decide how part of this new technological stage decide whether work exclusively human verified voices hybrid voices synthetic voices” So balance can found, long voice actor give consent how use (or not) his/her voice.
Seeing organizations fighting against unethical implementation of AIs, easy assume anti-technology, but Daniel Soler clarifies not case : “We always like clarify we not against Artificial Intelligence (…) fact our work we use AI machine learning tools long time ago, accept many areas’ knowledge work useful tools” concluding his sentence very important phrase this fight their rights : “What we seek Artificial Intelligences used ethically, not replacements. Many of these technologies being promoted this, but we seek assistants human work”
OVU effort formed by voice artists around the world : Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, etc. All them looking to ensure professionals get necessary rights companies not use their voices through AIs way don’t want, unethical way. Something worries them after seeing many cases of their colleagues being replaced by artificial intelligence-made voice.
“They’re great power information knowledge. I think people haven’t joined our cause because of ignorance” says Daniel Soler, clarifying other goal to inform people so know well what happening. New technologies overwhelming confusing, so good idea to have professionals like them telling detail public what happening . Technology continues growing, evolving in giant steps. These are not unethical per se, but the way human beings use them.
Vital importance to society put effort not left behind otherwise continue used ways take away human labor rights people impacted. This happened every technological innovation, made recent years Artificial Intelligences no exception (Although many companies prefer not case have complete control of use)
Artificial Intelligences coexist world voice acting without replacing, leaving without work voice artists. But only if regulated used ethical moral ways, never stealing professional’s voice without consent. They can be useful tools in various aspects if controlled appropriately way. This how we continue advancing future artificial intelligences : Regulating, controlling to ensure safe use. Otherwise, could continue replacing almost all workers, someday maybe Artificial Intelligence write article like this instead of human being.