Actors Request Legislation on AI Voice Duplication

Why it matters locally: While this news originates from the UK, the discussion around AI voice duplication and intellectual property rights is highly relevant to California's entertainment and technology industries, which are significant global centers for both AI development and content creation. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), headquartered in Los Angeles, has been actively negotiating protections against AI replication for its members, reflecting a similar push for legislative and contractual safeguards within the state.

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London, UK – A group of performers, including actors Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville, are advocating for new legislation regarding artificial intelligence and voice cloning. They have asked the UK government to implement a legal framework that grants every individual in the country ownership of their voice. Performers are seeking this legal right in response to advancements in AI technology, particularly in voice duplication. They believe such a law would provide individuals with control over how their vocal likeness is used in various applications. The initiative aims to establish clear legal protections for voices, similar to existing intellectual property rights for other creative works. Proponents of the measure argue that this ownership would allow individuals to manage and authorize the use of their voice in media, entertainment, and other industries where AI voice generation could be employed.