The unauthorized use of celebrities’ voices in AI-generated content raises concerns about privacy, consent, and artistic integrity.
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained popularity and has been increasingly used by individuals and companies. However, as AI technology advances, more stars are speaking out about its unauthorized use, particularly when it comes to their voices.
Cher, a renowned artist, expressed her fears about AI technology after discovering that someone had used her voice to cover a song by Madonna. She described the experience as shocking and expressed her frustration at having spent her entire life trying to be herself, only to have someone take her voice and use it without her permission. Cher argued that such actions should be illegal, as they take away an artist’s identity and control over their own work.
AI expert Marva Bailer explained that existing laws do protect celebrities from unauthorized use of their likeness or voice. However, the accessibility of AI tools to the general public has made it more challenging to track down and identify instances of unauthorized use. Bailer emphasized the importance of finding what is being done wrong to the image or likeness of a celebrity in order to take legal action.
Interestingly, some may find Cher’s concerns about AI ironic, as her Grammy-winning song “Believe” is credited with the first use of autotune. Cher acknowledged this, but pointed out that the use of autotune in “Believe” was a deliberate artistic choice made in collaboration with her producer. In contrast, the unauthorized use of her voice in AI-generated content is a violation of her artistic control and consent.
Selena Gomez, another prominent artist, also recently expressed her concerns about the use of her voice in AI-generated content. She discovered that a social media account had created a version of a song by her ex-boyfriend, The Weeknd, using her voice. Gomez described the experience as “scary,” highlighting the potential implications of AI technology on privacy and the misuse of personal data.
In conclusion, the unauthorized use of celebrities’ voices in AI-generated content raises important questions about privacy, consent, and artistic integrity. While legal recourse exists to protect celebrities from such unauthorized use, the accessibility of AI tools to the general public has made it more challenging to address these issues effectively. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the rights and identities of artists.
