Chris WilliamsonThis AI Company Stole My Voice (allegedly)
Chris Williamson
Voice cloned online 0:00
The speaker says an AI company may have stolen his voice. A friend first sent him a clip about flight MH370, and the narrator sounded so much like him that even friends asked if it was him. He noticed the same odd sounds he makes, like the word "yours," tied to his northeast England accent.
From worry to proof 3:00
He then found AI ads using a voice that sounded like him to sell products he would not endorse. He says his voice was one of the most popular British male voices on Eleven Labs, where anyone could make him say anything for a few dollars. He feels that taking a voice is more dangerous than copying a song because it can sound like an endorsement.
Law and helplessness 10:32
He spoke to a copyright lawyer, who said people have some protection under state right of publicity laws, especially when a voice is used for commercial gain. The lawyer said courts look at whether a reasonable person would think the speaker endorsed the product, and that he should keep evidence such as messages, similarity tests, and marketing materials. Still, the speaker says he may never know for sure, and that is the worst part, because there is no clear referee for a voice.
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