The use of AI technology to clone the voices of iconic Hollywood stars from the golden age is a growing trend in the entertainment industry, with companies like ElevenLabs leading the way. These AI-generated voices are being used in various applications, including audiobooks, video games, film pre-production, and social media.
ElevenLabs has secured deals with the estates of legendary actors like Burt Reynolds, Judy Garland, James Dean, and Sir Laurence Olivier to create AI-generated voices for their IconicVoices tool. The company has also partnered with publishers like the New York Times and Washington Post, as well as Disney, to provide AI-generated voice content.
While the use of AI-generated voices has raised concerns about unauthorized impersonation, companies like ElevenLabs are working to address these issues through new business models and clear permissions. Safeguards such as active moderation of content, accountability measures, and special provisions for safeguarding the impact of AI voices on sensitive topics like elections are being implemented.
Voice actors in the industry have expressed mixed feelings about AI voice cloning, with some seeing it as a helpful tool for improving production workflows, while others are concerned about losing opportunities for work. The quality of AI-generated voices is also a topic of discussion, with experts noting that recent advancements have made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between fake and authentic voices.
Overall, the use of AI-generated voices from iconic Hollywood stars represents a new income stream for the industry, rather than a lost income stream due to AI. As the technology continues to evolve, it is important for companies to establish clear boundaries and safeguards to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI-generated voice content.