A campaign against artificial intelligence (AI) voice cloning has gained support from approximately 80 individuals, including actors Nicola Coughlan, Hugh Bonneville, and Matt Lucas. The campaign, named Save Our Voices Now, seeks to prevent AI technology from replicating a real person's voice to generate new speech.
Supporters of the campaign, also including Luke Evans, Jen Brister, Siobhán McSweeney, and Pearl Mackie, have signed an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. They are calling for legislation to protect voice ownership.
Hugh Bonneville stated, “My voice is unique, it’s mine, it’s part of my identity. So is yours. That’s worth speaking up about.” Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney expressed concern that “legislation, contracts, working practices and ethics, and artists’ rights are not being considered or protected as quickly as AI technology is progressing.”
A Gov.uk petition has been launched, requesting that all individuals in Britain be granted ownership of their voice as part of their statutory rights. The campaign claims that 28% of UK adults have reported being targeted by a voice-cloning scam.
Peter Caulfield, founder of Save Our Voices Now, highlighted the speed at which voices can be cloned, stating that with the right AI system, a voice can be replicated in just three seconds without the owner's knowledge. He added that the government is allowing AI companies to profit from artists' voices without consent and enabling criminals to use AI for identity cloning.
In Denmark, law reforms are reportedly underway to provide citizens with legal ownership over their face, body, and voice, which would allow them to demand the removal of unauthorised AI content and seek compensation.