Main Topic: The article discusses ElevenLabs, a company that aims to revolutionize voice technology by providing high-quality and accessible speech synthesis, voice design, and cloning technology.
Section 1: The Limitations of Text-to-Speech Technology
The article explains that while text-to-speech technology has been around for a long time, it has not been able to reach its full potential due to the lack of engaging intonations and enunciations in synthetic voices. The high costs and lengthy production processes have also limited its use in real-time and interactive applications.
Section 2: ElevenLabs' Solution
ElevenLabs has developed a voice design and cloning product that significantly improves upon existing text-to-speech models. With just a few clicks, creators and developers can generate voices that sound incredibly human, with proper pause, intonation, and breathing rhythms. The company has already gained a large user base and has been embraced by various industries, including media, gaming, and content creation.
Section 3: Multilingual Capabilities
ElevenLabs' voice technology supports text-to-speech conversion in multiple languages, including French, German, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish. This opens up possibilities for experiencing content in one's native language while retaining the original voice of the actor.
Section 4: The Founders' Personal Connection
The founders of ElevenLabs, Mati Staniszewski and Piotr Dabkowski, grew up in Poland and were frustrated by the poor dubbing of American movies. Their personal experiences have driven them to break down linguistic barriers and bring the power of voice to any program or platform.
Subjective Opinions Expressed in the Article:
- The article expresses excitement about the potential of generative AI tools, like ElevenLabs, to revolutionize the creative suite and empower creators with more accessible and intuitive tools.
- The article mentions that a16z, the investment firm, is thrilled to join the ElevenLabs board and co-lead their Series A funding round, indicating their belief in the company's potential.
- The article includes a disclaimer that the views expressed in the article are those of the individual personnel quoted and not necessarily the views of a16z or its affiliates. It also states that the information provided should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice.
Main topic: Hi-Rez Studios updates policies on voice actor contracts and AI technology use
Key points:
1. Hi-Rez Studios has updated its policies on voice actor contracts and the use of generative AI technology.
2. CEO Stewart Chisam addressed allegations that the studio was using AI to clone voice work and assured that the new policies prohibit such use.
3. The updated contract language restricts the studio from using AI to simulate a voice or likeness of a talent, even in the case of the actor's death or incapacitation.
Main topic: Hi-Rez Studios using AI to clone voices of actors
Key points:
1. Hi-Rez Studios plans to use AI to clone the voices of actors for games like Smite and Paladins.
2. Voice actors are being asked to sign contracts without seeing the fine print or ensuring their safety or financial benefit.
3. The use of AI in this manner is seen as controversial and raises concerns about trust and transparency.
Main topic: The AI arms race in voice cloning and the latest development by ElevenLabs to mimic voices in 30 different languages.
Key points:
1. ElevenLabs' new AI model can mimic voices fluently in 30 languages, expanding from the previous eight supported.
2. The AI model provides emotionally-rich audio that captures natural speech inflections.
3. Concerns about the potential misuse of deepfake audio and the need for ethical implementation in AI voice cloning.
Main topic: Japanese start-ups developing digital clones and AI singers
Key points:
1. Japanese start-up Alt is developing digital clones that can perform tasks and interact on behalf of individuals, such as conducting job interviews or screening patients.
2. Digital clones are considered more personal than other AI technologies like Siri or ChatGPT. They are created using personal information gathered from social media and publicly available records.
3. Tokyo-based start-up INCS toenter is successful in producing computerized music using Vocaloid artists, which are often paired with anime or manga-style characters. However, the popularity of digital clones and Vocaloids outside of Japan is uncertain.
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate voice deepfakes and trick people into sending them money, raising concerns among cybersecurity experts.
Apple's new AI narrators for audiobooks raise ethical questions about the listener's awareness and consent, as well as the potential impact on voice actors; Apple's marketing language also presents the technology as empowering indie authors while eroding the livelihood of voice artists, similar to the tactics used by other disruptive tech companies.
AI systems are becoming increasingly adept at turning text into realistic and believable speech, raising questions about the ethical implications and responsibilities associated with creating and using these AI voices.
California lawmakers are introducing a bill that would allow actors and artists to nullify contracts that permit studios to use artificial intelligence to digitally clone their voices, faces, and bodies, in an effort to protect workers from being replaced by their digital replicas.
Actor and author Stephen Fry expresses concern over the use of AI technology to mimic his voice in a historical documentary without his knowledge or permission, highlighting the potential dangers of AI-generated content.
Scammers are using artificial intelligence and voice cloning to convincingly mimic the voices of loved ones, tricking people into sending them money in a new elaborate scheme.
The use of generative AI poses risks to businesses, including the potential exposure of sensitive information, the generation of false information, and the potential for biased or toxic responses from chatbots. Additionally, copyright concerns and the complexity of these systems further complicate the landscape.
Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including deepfakes and voice cloning, to carry out scams and deceive people online, posing a significant threat to online security.
MIT and Microsoft researchers are using AI to create audiobooks from online texts in a project with Project Gutenberg to make 5,000 AI-narrated audiobooks, leveraging a neural text-to-speech algorithm trained on millions of examples of human speech to generate different voices with different accents and languages.
AI Threatens the Livelihood of Voice Actors: Will Their Voices Be Replaced?
Voice actors are facing a new threat to their livelihoods as generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more advanced. While AI can clone celebrity voices and narrate audiobooks, industry experts believe that it cannot fully replace the unique skills and artistry of human voice actors. However, the rise of AI poses concerns for voice actors, including the potential theft and misuse of their voices. Companies are exploring the use of AI for cheaper voice work, but experts argue that synthetic voices lack the engagement and uniqueness that human voices provide. Despite the challenges, some companies are embracing AI, including Spotify, which is using AI-powered voice technology for podcast translations. This technological advancement not only endangers voice actors' jobs but also raises ethical questions about the unauthorized use of their voices to create new content. In response, voice actors are negotiating for stronger protections and fair compensation in their contracts. Although the ongoing strikes serve as a challenge, African voice actors see opportunities to negotiate for fair contracts as the demand for their voices increases. They emphasize the importance of clear agreements on how their voices will be used and for how long, ensuring proper compensation and respect for their work.
Overall, voice actors are grappling with the potential impact of AI on their profession. While AI may provide convenience and cost-effectiveness, it cannot replicate the unique nuances, emotions, and cultural elements delivered by human voice actors. The concern lies in the potential theft and misuse of their voices, as well as competition from AI-generated vocals for lower-level voice work. However, there remains hope that the skills and artistic touch of voice actors will continue to be valued, particularly in high-production-value shows and projects that require cultural authenticity. As negotiations continue and voice actors seek stronger protections, they aim to secure informed consent and fair compensation for their work in an industry that is becoming increasingly reliant on AI technology.
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Generative AI tools are being used to clone the voices of voice actors without their permission, resulting in potential job loss and ethical concerns in the industry.
The artist known as Ghostwriter, who gained attention for using AI voice filters to imitate popular artists' voices without their consent, discusses the ethical implications and potential future of AI in music.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has urged the US government to include AI voice cloning in its piracy watchdog list, citing infringement of copyright and the right to publicity as potential issues, specifically calling out Voicify.AI as a company that allows users to copy YouTube videos and modify them using AI voice models of popular music artists.
The RIAA has requested that AI voice cloning be added to the government's piracy watch list, as they believe it infringes on copyrights and artists' rights; they specifically called out Voicify.AI as a site that should be scrutinized.
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a bill called the NO FAKES Act, which aims to ban the unauthorized use of AI-powered replicas of people's voices and images, with penalties starting at $5,000 per violation, while allowing limited protected uses under the First Amendment. This bill is seen as a step towards protecting artists and creatives from the unauthorized use of their likeness.
Cyberpunk 2077 uses AI-edited voice technology to emulate deceased actor Miłogost Reczek's performance, avoiding the re-recording of his role by using voice cloning technology provided by startup Respeecher.
CD Projekt, the developer of Cyberpunk 2077, used AI to recreate the voice of a deceased actor in the game's recent expansion, Phantom Liberty, after gaining permission from the family, sparking concerns about the future of voice actors in the industry.
A bipartisan bill called the No Fakes Act aims to prevent the unauthorized use of AI-generated replicas of performers in audiovisual or sound recordings without their consent.
CD Projekt Red used AI voice cloning software to reconstruct the voice of deceased actor Miłogost Reczek for its Phantom Liberty DLC in Cyberpunk 2077, with the permission and support of his family.
Voice technology has the potential to revolutionize aviation by improving communication between pilots and the aircraft, reducing response times, and enhancing safety in critical situations.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is using AI voice cloning technology to create robocalls in different languages, despite not actually speaking those languages himself, prompting discussions about the ethical implications of such practices.
