Voice Actors Sue Over AI Cloning of Their Voices

In a striking incident highlighting the potential dangers of voice cloning technologies, New York City-based voice actor Paul Lanaa has filed a class action lawsuit against a Berkeley-based company, Lovo, for allegedly stealing and selling personal AI clones of voice actors without their consent. This lawsuit stems from Lanaa's unsettling discovery that an AI entity had been created using his voice during a podcast, a moment he describes as terrifying. The voice cloning issue is not just limited to Lanaa; many voice actors are now voicing concerns that AI technologies threaten their identity rights and livelihoods. In October 2019, Lanaa was approached to record generic radio scripts, which the company indicated would only be used for research into speech synthesis. However, six months later, he discovered speech samples made from his recordings on Lovo's platform. As voice cloning technology continues to improve, many artists and rights advocates are alarmed by the exploitative potential of AI, as it can undermine their creative work and erase their identities. Theory and discussions around rights of publicity have shed light on this pressing legal issue, prompting both artists and legal professionals to confront the implications of AI advancements. As companies evolve through innovation, the spotlight is now on their ethical responsibilities towards the voices that contribute to their success.