David Attenborough furious over ‘disturbing’ AI voice clone

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of immersion in the digital realm, I’ve witnessed the evolution of technology from pixelated monsters to lifelike AI. The latest development – the use of AI voice clones – has me both awestruck and alarmed.


Renowned biologist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, has spoken out critically towards content producers who mimic his voice using artificial intelligence.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, the rise of AI has been nothing short of mind-blowing and nerve-wracking at the same time. It’s like this invisible hand that’s sneaking into every corner of our world, making waves in industries we never thought it could. Guys like MrBeast are using it to brainstorm YouTube video concepts, while Hawk Tuah is taking things a step further by creating an artificial dating assistant. It’s fascinating and a bit unnerving all at once!

While AI holds immense promise, it also carries a disturbing dark side. For instance, it’s been exploited for online fraud, deceit in artistic contests, and there are links suggesting its involvement in a tragic teenage fatality.

Among the initial applications of technology on the internet was the utilization of voice profiles or ‘imitations’ to replicate famous personalities. Although often harmless, it’s been expressed by Sir David Attenborough that he disapproves of using his own voice in content where he has no control or involvement.

Content like what’s shown earlier can be found abundantly on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, and one of the most widely-used AI voice mimicries is a remarkably accurate imitation of Sir David Attenborough’s voice. Various websites offer users the opportunity to generate text-to-speech recordings with AI voice clones, and it seems that even Sir David was consulted by the BBC regarding the unauthorized use of his likeness in this context.

After dedicating my life to expressing what I genuinely consider as truth, I’m deeply troubled to see my persona being misused nowadays, and I strongly oppose others twisting it to say whatever pleases them,” the documentarian objected.

AI voices modeled after Attenborough’s are incredibly convincing, mimicking not just his voice tone but also his rhythmic delivery. Although most people can still tell them apart, given the technology’s current stage, there’s a strong possibility that it may one day be indistinguishable from the genuine article.

As an enthusiast, I share the apprehension that arose during the SAG-AFTRA video game strikes regarding the application of AI. The fear was palpable: could our roles as voice actors potentially be usurped by advanced artificial intelligence technologies capable of mimicking human speech to such an extent?

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2024-11-19 06:48