Two voice actors have filed a lawsuit against an AI firm, accusing them of using their voices without permission. The actors, identified as Paul Sky Lehrman and Linnea Sage, claim that their voices were recorded for what they believed to be internal use only, but later discovered that the AI firm had used their recordings to create AI-generated clones for commercial purposes.
The controversy arose when the actors stumbled upon instances where their voices were being used in AI-generated content without their consent. Paul Sky Lehrman expressed his frustration, stating that the unauthorized use of his voice not only impacts his career but also violates his individuality and likeness.
The AI firm in question, Lovo, offers artificial intelligence services that allow users to create voiceovers for various purposes, including marketing, e-learning, documentaries, animations, games, and audio books. The actors allege that Lovo used their voice samples to develop AI-generated voices that were then sold to clients without proper compensation or acknowledgment.
This case highlights the growing concerns among actors, authors, and creators about the potential misuse of their work by AI companies. The actors argue that firms like Lovo could be profiting from their voices and intellectual property without crediting or compensating them adequately.
Notably, this lawsuit echoes similar claims made by actress Scarlett Johansson against OpenAI, where she alleged that the company created an AI voice resembling hers without authorization. OpenAI has denied these allegations, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical practices in the development and use of AI technologies.
As the debate over intellectual property rights in the age of artificial intelligence continues, the case of the voice actors suing the AI firm sheds light on the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of human voices in AI-generated content.
