Known for his prominent work as a voice actor, Hank Azaria, currently at the peak of his career, penned an opinion piece for The New York Times. In this article, he delves into the topic of artificial intelligence, sharing his apprehensions about its potential dangers and expressing his hope for its constructive applications.
Azaria, famous for lending his voice to The Simpsons characters such as Moe, Chief Wiggum, Lenny, Superintendent Chalmers, and Comic Book Guy, noted that AI-generated voices can appear slightly off in certain ways, leading people to believe “there’s something amiss.” He drew a comparison with AI-generated faces in videos, which while convincing to some extent, are not flawless.
When I’m recording lines for The Simpsons, I like to mix things up and try various approaches to find the perfect fit. So, I’ll go wild with a mad take, express joy with a glad take, convey sadness with a sad take, deliver a deadpan line, get aggressive, or pour my feelings into one. It’s often challenging to predict which will be the winning take, but during editing, it always becomes clear.
Azaria said AI might be able to do this, too, and in a “pretty convincing way.” .
To be truthful, I must admit I’m feeling a bit apprehensive. This work is not just my job, it’s my passion. I can’t imagine giving it up. It’s commonly believed in Hollywood that technology capable of creating lifelike faces will be ready in five years. What worries me is that the same advancement may soon apply to voices as well.
Azaria subsequently acknowledged that there might be certain benefits if AI becomes more widespread. He confessed to being an ardent admirer of Mel Blanc, the original voice actor of Bugs Bunny, and suggested that advanced AI could potentially resurrect Blanc in innovative ways. Moreover, Azaria hinted at his potential involvement in any new productions by guiding the AI with a personal touch due to his extensive knowledge of Blanc and the character Bugs Bunny.
Just as many others, I envision a time when humans and artificial intelligence will collaborate harmoniously. I firmly believe that while AI can generate sounds, it’ll always require human touch to bring performances to life. After all, can a computer truly comprehend emotion or discern what’s amusing on its own? That, in my opinion, ventures into the realm of science fiction. For such understanding, I believe, AI would need to attain a level of consciousness, something that, for now, remains speculative.
Thinking about it brings a feeling of sadness. Moreover, it feels unjust and inappropriate to misuse someone else’s image or voice, including mine.”
This version maintains the original meaning while using more common phrasing and simplifying some expressions for easier understanding.
Currently, should an AI be employed to replicate any of Azaria’s numerous vocal characters, the absence of human-like qualities could potentially stand out to an observer.
Azaria stated that it gives off an impression of unrealness, making it less important to focus on. Credibility is built through skillful execution, encompassing compelling storytelling, convincing performances, excellent cinematography, competent direction, a strong script, and fitting music.
Azaria expressed his conviction that AI could soon mimic the voices of the over 100 characters he’s voiced on The Simpsons over the past three decades. “It brings a sense of melancholy to consider it. Beyond that, it feels unjust and disrespectful to misuse someone’s likeness or voice – my own included,” he stated.
Azaria lent his voice to a range of Simpsons characters across multiple Simpsons video games like Hit & Run and Road Rage. Beyond this, he’s renowned for his work in live-action productions such as Friends, Mad About You, Heat, Along Came Polly, Night at the Museum, and The Birdcage.
Since July 2024, video game voice actors have been on a strike due to some worries regarding artificial intelligence. Notably, esteemed voice actress Jennifer Hale contends that AI poses an “essential” challenge for the video game sector.
According to a recent investigation, many video game creators currently incorporate some kind of AI technology in their development processes. On the other hand, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, has recently expressed the viewpoint that AI is a paradox since machines don’t actually learn.
Essentially, Zelnick pointed out that the technologies in question are digital, and we’ve been utilizing such tools for a long time. He believes that while these advanced AI tools may enhance efficiency and improve the quality of our work, they will not lead to job losses.
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2025-02-07 23:09