Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville among actors calling for law on AI voice cloning

Actors Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville and Nicola Coughlan have written to the UK government, urging the creation of legislation that would grant individuals a legal right to their voice. The performers are concerned that their voices could be exploited by AI. Voice cloning is achieved by training AI on recordings of real people's voices.

Quick versions can be generated in minutes from just a few seconds of audio, but high-quality replicas generally require hours to create. Audiobook narrator Alice Sockett, who co-founded the campaign, described it as an "existential threat" to the entire industry. She emphasized that her voice is in the public domain but has no protection.

The government spokesperson acknowledged the potential for both positive and negative uses of digital replicas, stating that they value and protect human creators. However, they are initiating a consultation to address potential harms while preserving legitimate innovation. Over 80 performers have signed the letter, expressing deep concern that the government is falling behind.

Other signatories include individuals from various performing industries, such as Sandi Thom, a Scottish singer. She signed the letter because her voice is unique to her, as it was handed to her at birth. The law, while close to adequately protecting voices, faces criticism for not fully safeguarding one's voice, face or identity, according to Dr Mathilde Pavis.

Some people, like motor neurone disease sufferer Yvonne Johnson, have welcomed the technology that can replicate a person's voice, as it brought them closer to their family. Others have even used AI to create holographic representations of deceased loved ones.