Is AI Voice Cloning Outpacing the Law?

AI voice cloning isn’t sci-fi anymore.

It’s here, growing fast, and raising big ethical questions.

Here’s everything you need to know about how AI voice cloning is outpacing the law.

In this article

1. What Is AI Voice Cloning and Why Does It Matter?

2. Top Risks of AI Voice Cloning

3. Why Experts Are Sounding the Alarm

4. How the Industry is Adapting

5. How You Can Stay Protected from AI Voice Misuse

What Is AI Voice Cloning and Why Does It Matter?

Unlike basic AI voices (like GPS navigation assistance, Siri, or Alexa), AI voice cloning creates an exact match of a person’s voice, mimicking how a specific person sounds.

Here is a quick look at the difference between a voice clone and an AI Voice:

AI Voices: AI voices designed to sound human but aren’t based on a real person. Think: Virtual assistants or automated customer service.

Voice Cloning: AI copies of a real person’s voice, capturing their tone, pitch, and unique speech patterns.

Top Risks of AI Voice Cloning

In a November 2024 piece from The Guardian, David Attenborough was shocked to find out his voice was cloned and used for fake political news, and Open AI created a voice so close to Scarlett Johansson’s that even her friends couldn’t tell the difference.

Here are some big risks of AI voice cloning:

1. Voice Cloning Scams: Scammers use cloned voices to impersonate loved ones or public figures, often tricking people into sending money.

2. Identity Theft: Personal voice data can be stolen and used without permission, damaging reputations and causing financial harm.

3. Fake News and Misinformation: Cloned voices can be used to create fake audio of public figures, spreading false information.

4. Impact on Performers: Voice actors and public figures risk losing control over their voices.

Why Experts Are Sounding the Alarm

Experts like Dr. Dominic Lees say AI voice cloning is moving so fast that current laws can’t keep up, citing eight major issues:

1. Legal Gaps: Current privacy and copyright laws were not designed to address AI voices and clones.
   
2. Fraudulent Activities: Scammers are increasingly using cloned voices in schemes to trick people out of money.
   
3. Identity Theft: AI voice cloning allows people to steal and misuse someone’s vocal identity.
   
4. Ethical Concerns: Unauthorized cloning of voices for commercial or political purposes, raises serious questions about consent and exploitation.
   
5. Spread of Misinformation: AI cloned voices can be used to create fake audio clips of public figures, spreading false information and influencing public opinion.
   
6. Impact on Voice Over Professionals: The rise of AI cloning threatens jobs in the voice over industry.
   
7. Rapid Adoption Without Oversight: The technology is advancing faster than regulatory frameworks, creating a “Wild West” environment where misuse is difficult to prevent or penalize.
   
8. Potential for Large-Scale Misuse: Without regulation, AI voice cloning could be used for organized crime, phishing schemes, or even geopolitical disinformation campaigns.

How the Industry is Adapting

The voice over world is making significant changes to keep up with the rise of AI voice cloning, focusing on ethical practices and innovation:

Ethical Licensing: Companies like Voices are leading the way by ensuring all AI voices are properly licensed to protect talent while giving businesses the tools they need to use AI responsibly.

Union Advocacy: SAG-AFTRA is actively working to protect performers’ rights, emphasizing the need for consent and fair compensation when using or cloning an artist’s voice.

New Tools for Creators: AI voices are becoming a cost-effective solution for projects like language learning platforms.

How to Stay Protected from AI Voice Misuse

Work with Licensed Providers: Choose companies like Voices that prioritize ethical AI practices and proper licensing.

Verify Calls: If someone calls claiming to be a loved one asking for money, hang up and call them back on their real number to confirm.

Report Misuse: If you suspect voice cloning is being used unethically or illegally, report it to relevant authorities.

At Voices, we do AI voices the right way.

You can trust us to deliver licensed, ethical AI voices for your project, safeguarding talent and your business.