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Thursday, February 16, 2023
Audiobook Narrators Fear Apple Used Their Voices to Train AI
WIRED: GARY FURLONG, A Texas-based audiobook narrator, had worried for a while that synthetic voices created by algorithms could steal work from artists like himself. Early this month, he felt his worst fears had been realized.
Again, I find myself commenting on another article about AI because it seems to be affecting our industry. I was watching a YouTube video from a famous creator the other day, and the whole video he was messing around with AI. He found an AI voice creator and found his own voice on there. He made sentences that sounded JUST LIKE HIM. It was crazy. I would hate to find my own voice being used somewhere, saying things I’ve never said, or someone else making money with my voice without my consent. In the article it says that this is more of the technology sector and not the entertainment sector, which I think is definitely true. Technology sectors are just out to make a buck. The entertainment sector really deals with the people, the relationships, the unions and rights. I think voice actors will have to contract their own voices so companies can’t just take their voices with no rights.
Miles' dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to learning, networking, and refining her skills. Her willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities is also a lesson for all of us. By pushing herself beyond her comfort zone and pursuing her dreams with unwavering focus, Miles was able to make her mark in an industry known for its competitiveness and high standards.
Furthermore, Miles' collaboration with Rihanna is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and role models. By working alongside one of the biggest names in the music and fashion industries, Miles was able to learn and grow as a designer, and to gain exposure and recognition for her work.
Overall, Justina Miles' story is a source of inspiration and motivation for anyone seeking to achieve their dreams. Her journey is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
The article highlights the complex and nuanced issues surrounding the use of AI in audiobook narration. While the technology has the potential to be transformative, it also requires careful consideration and ethical reflection to ensure that it does not come at the expense of human narrators or the quality of the audiobook experience for listeners.
One of the main concerns highlighted in the article is the potential loss of jobs for human narrators, who have traditionally been an integral part of the audiobook industry. While the use of AI may be more efficient and cost-effective for companies like Apple and Spotify, it also raises questions about the value of human labor and the impact of technology on employment.
Another important consideration is the quality of the AI-generated voices compared to human narrators. While the technology has made significant strides in recent years, it still lacks the nuance and emotional range of a human voice. This raises questions about the quality of the audiobook experience for listeners and the importance of human connection in storytelling.
I have heard of the discussion of AI generated artwork and music, but I did not realize that it also was happening in the audiobook industry. With capitalism’s emphasis on decreasing costs in order to increase profits, the use of synthetic voices seems inevitable, just as EZ-Pass has replaced human staff at highway tolls. But, currently, AI produced work is just not the same as that narrated by human actors. While it is currently easy to detect audio that is created by AI, as these programs are more sophisticated, I suspect it may become much more difficult. Since it is apparent that AI generated work will be a part of the future, clear consent of the voice actors must appear prominently in their contracts. Some argue that authorization to use their voice for AI development was buried in the contract’s fine print. This is not okay. Authorization needs to be upfront and in fact, I believe consumers should be informed when purchasing narration by synthetic voice. Companies should not be able to exploit artists’ work without compensation.
4 comments:
Again, I find myself commenting on another article about AI because it seems to be affecting our industry. I was watching a YouTube video from a famous creator the other day, and the whole video he was messing around with AI. He found an AI voice creator and found his own voice on there. He made sentences that sounded JUST LIKE HIM. It was crazy. I would hate to find my own voice being used somewhere, saying things I’ve never said, or someone else making money with my voice without my consent. In the article it says that this is more of the technology sector and not the entertainment sector, which I think is definitely true. Technology sectors are just out to make a buck. The entertainment sector really deals with the people, the relationships, the unions and rights. I think voice actors will have to contract their own voices so companies can’t just take their voices with no rights.
Miles' dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to learning, networking, and refining her skills. Her willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities is also a lesson for all of us. By pushing herself beyond her comfort zone and pursuing her dreams with unwavering focus, Miles was able to make her mark in an industry known for its competitiveness and high standards.
Furthermore, Miles' collaboration with Rihanna is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and role models. By working alongside one of the biggest names in the music and fashion industries, Miles was able to learn and grow as a designer, and to gain exposure and recognition for her work.
Overall, Justina Miles' story is a source of inspiration and motivation for anyone seeking to achieve their dreams. Her journey is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
The article highlights the complex and nuanced issues surrounding the use of AI in audiobook narration. While the technology has the potential to be transformative, it also requires careful consideration and ethical reflection to ensure that it does not come at the expense of human narrators or the quality of the audiobook experience for listeners.
One of the main concerns highlighted in the article is the potential loss of jobs for human narrators, who have traditionally been an integral part of the audiobook industry. While the use of AI may be more efficient and cost-effective for companies like Apple and Spotify, it also raises questions about the value of human labor and the impact of technology on employment.
Another important consideration is the quality of the AI-generated voices compared to human narrators. While the technology has made significant strides in recent years, it still lacks the nuance and emotional range of a human voice. This raises questions about the quality of the audiobook experience for listeners and the importance of human connection in storytelling.
I have heard of the discussion of AI generated artwork and music, but I did not realize that it also was happening in the audiobook industry. With capitalism’s emphasis on decreasing costs in order to increase profits, the use of synthetic voices seems inevitable, just as EZ-Pass has replaced human staff at highway tolls. But, currently, AI produced work is just not the same as that narrated by human actors. While it is currently easy to detect audio that is created by AI, as these programs are more sophisticated, I suspect it may become much more difficult. Since it is apparent that AI generated work will be a part of the future, clear consent of the voice actors must appear prominently in their contracts. Some argue that authorization to use their voice for AI development was buried in the contract’s fine print. This is not okay. Authorization needs to be upfront and in fact, I believe consumers should be informed when purchasing narration by synthetic voice. Companies should not be able to exploit artists’ work without compensation.
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