Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville among actors calling for law on AI voice cloning
The performers are asking the government to give every person in the UK a legal right to own their voice.
Actors such as Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville, and Nicola Coughlan are among those who have written to the UK government, urging the implementation of a law to safeguard against the unauthorized use of their voices by artificial intelligence.
The performers are appealing to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to introduce legislation that would grant every individual in the UK a legal right to own their voice.
AI voice clones are generated by training AI systems on recordings of real people. While basic versions can be created in minutes from just a few seconds of audio, high-quality imitations typically require hours of source material.
Alice Sockett, an audiobook narrator and co-founder of the campaign, described the issue as "an existential threat to our entire industry." She stated, "My voice is out there in the public domain but completely unprotected. We're seeing voice theft increase every week."
A government spokesperson informed the BBC that although "digital replicas can be a powerful tool, including for the creative industries," there is also potential for harm. The spokesperson added, "We value and protect human creators, and that is why we have announced we will launch a consultation on how we address these harms, while protecting legitimate innovation."
Over 80 performers have signed the letter, with Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney expressing her "deep worry" that the government is falling behind. She commented, "There is a way to work alongside AI and to use it as a tool that benefits us rather than rendering us obsolete. Our audiences want that human connection. Not AI."
Beyond actors, the signatories also include individuals from other performing arts industries. This includes Scottish singer Sandi Thom, known for her 2006 hit "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)." She explained her decision to sign the letter by saying her voice was "unique to me and was handed to me at birth." Thom added, "Behind that voice is the emotion, the life, the pain, the tears and joy that I've felt along the way. Without creativity, we are nothing."
This initiative follows warnings from lawyers a few months ago that UK legislation has become "unfit for purpose" due to advancements in AI technology. Dr. Mathilde Pavis stated in June that "The law comes close, but it doesn't fully protect your voice, your face or your identity."
However, some individuals, such as those unable to speak properly due to illness, have welcomed technology that can replicate a person's voice. Yvonne Johnson, who lost her voice to motor neurone disease, shared with the BBC's Tech Life programme in February how having her voice cloned by AI had "totally blown her mind" and reconnected her with her family, who had forgotten her voice.
Others have taken this a step further, using AI not only to replicate a person's voice but also to create a holographic representation of them. Pam Cronrath, from Washington state, utilized this technology to surprise mourners at her husband's funeral, where a digital version of her deceased partner addressed those attending his wake. She told BBC News, "I was completely impressed. It stayed with me."