This morning, I was beta-testing some AI video software, and — for amusement — asked the AI to produce a ghost-themed video.
I provided the general topic and ideas, and AI did the rest.
I did not use my actual name when I signed up for the beta. (As you know, I’m a bit of a privacy fanatic.)
Well… when I played the video to see if the AI was worth using in the future, I was stunned.
They’d cloned my voice, probably from my YouTube channel. No doubt about it.
I’m doing my best to take this as a compliment: That, when talking about ghosts, using my voice makes the video sound more credible.
Or something…?
Of course, it might just reflect the number of podcasts and videos I’ve shared online, over the past 20+ years. That gave AI an abundance of voice samples to clone.
Whatever the reason my voice was selected: PLEASE be aware that this is going on.
Whether it’s my voice or someone else’s (Jason, Grant, Zak, Jack, Alex, Kris, Steve, Tango, Dustin, etc.), if the “voice” is saying things that seem a bit off, or outright uncharacteristic, report it.
This is especially true if the fake voice is being used for potential commercial gain of any kind, including on a YouTube channel or as an adjunct to “I want to be a celebrity, too” self-promotion. (Yes, I’ve already talked with an attorney, who put my mind at ease. See this legal precedent: Midler v. Ford Motor Co.)
And tell others, in case they might be confused, too.
In my case, if the recording isn’t on my YouTube channel or my own websites… It’s almost certainly NOT me.
It’s been a few years since I gave interviews or spoke at events, and – frankly – I’m enjoying having time to focus on my own projects. (I may return to Dragon Con, etc., in the future, but not yet.)