The Threat to Artists' Livelihoods: AI Voice Cloning and Exploitative Contracts

Voice actors and performance artists are facing threats to their livelihoods as generative AI technology advances.

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Artists are discovering their voices being used without their knowledge or consent through AI cloning.

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Exploitative contracts, data scraping methods, and scams are eroding artists' rights and work.

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The trade union Equity has received complaints about AI scams and exploitation in the performing arts industry.

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Voice data scraping is used to create AI models, replacing the need for human performers.

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Actors are encountering fake castings and contracts with AI synthesization clauses that exploit their voice data.

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AI companies are benefiting financially from the creative sector, leading to a transfer of resources.

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Current legislation offers little protection for performers against the unauthorized use of their voices and likeness.

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AI voice companies, such as Revoicer, purchase voice data from platforms like IBM for commercial purposes.

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Calls are being made for new rights to be encoded into the law, including time-limited contracts and explicit consent for AI cloning.

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