Actors Hugh Bonneville, Nicola Coughlan, and Matt Lucas are spearheading a campaign urging the UK government to enact measures against artificial intelligence companies using performers' voices without permission.
Nearly 80 performers have joined the "Save Our Voices Now" campaign, which advocates for legal protection against AI technology capable of cloning voices and generating speech. The initiative includes an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and an online petition demanding statutory rights for individuals to own their voices.
"My voice is unique, it's mine, it's part of my identity. So is yours," said Bonneville, known for his roles in "Paddington" and "Downton Abbey." "That's worth speaking up about."
Other notable signatories include Welsh actor Luke Evans and "Derry Girls" star Siobhan McSweeney. McSweeney expressed concerns that technological advancements in AI are outpacing the development of adequate legislation, contracts, and ethical frameworks to protect artists' rights.
"I'm deeply worried that legislation, contracts, working practices and ethics, and artists' rights are not being considered or protected as quickly as AI technology is progressing," McSweeney stated. "Our audiences want that human connection, not AI."
Campaign founder Peter Caulfield, an actor and voice artist, drew parallels between the current situation and the dystopian TV series "Black Mirror," highlighting the speed at which voices can be cloned. He asserted that the government is permitting AI companies to exploit artists' voices for profit without consent and enabling criminals to clone identities for illicit purposes.
Campaigners are looking to Denmark as a model, where citizens have been granted legal control over AI-generated imitations of their likeness, voice, and body. This Danish legislation allows individuals to request the removal of unauthorized content and seek compensation for its misuse.
