David Attenborough objects to unauthorized AI voice clones
AI-generated voice clones of broadcaster David Attenborough were found on websites and could closely replicate his voice to make statements he did not authorize, prompting him to object that his identity was being stolen and raising concerns about potential misinformation from impersonating a trusted public figure.
What happened
A BBC News segment in November 2024 demonstrated AI-generated voice clones of broadcaster David Attenborough that were found on websites and were nearly indistinguishable from his real voice.
The AI voice clones were capable of being used to read news and make statements on topics such as politics, war, and other subjects without Attenborough's consent.
Reported impact
Attenborough stated he was 'profoundly disturbed' that his identity was being stolen and used to say things he had not endorsed.
Dr Jennifer Williams, an AI audio researcher at the University of Southampton, expressed concern that words could be put in the mouth of a globally recognized trusted voice and authority figure on matters he may not endorse, with potential for misinformation about topics such as war, politics, and current events.
Index analysis
Dr Williams noted a lack of safeguards or regulatory framework to guarantee that an AI-generated voice is uniquely different from a real person's voice, raising concerns about potential for misinformation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.