We recently reported that a new audiobook of The Odyssey is coming out. It wouldn’t have been huge news if not for the AI use of Michael Caine’s voice. What role do ethics play in using an AI copy of an actor’s voice to record a project? At the very least, Caine had authorized the production company to use his voice in that regard. He had signed off on allowing AI replication of his distinct vocal tones. What if that wasn’t an option for him, though? What if, in order to secure a job, he had to license his voice for AI use?
That’s what child actors for Peppa Pig are reportedly facing right now.
Contract Clauses
An open letter was written by the AYPA, the Agents of Young Performers Association. In it, the letter addresses how contracts are being delivered to children with an irrevocable clause. The clause allows for the voice of the actor to be used for AI training, so the voice can be replicated for “all commercial assets within their franchise.” So the letter states.
The matter here is more pressing, according to the AYPA, because it’s children being impressed upon. Kids obviously can not provide legal consent to these contracts. That has to be given by the parents. But many of these parents are just trying to do right by their kids. They have to weigh the future of their children along with their concerns as parents. What do you do when you either consent to all the contract terms, or you don’t get the job?
Hasbro Responds
The company that owns Peppa Pig, Hasbro, acknowledged the open letter exists, but would not comment fully. They stated, “We are not able to comment on specific negotiations or contractual arrangements.” They further stated, “As industry standards around AI continue to evolve, we are committed to engaging with this issue in a responsible and transparent manner.” That’s about as textbook of a “non-answer” as you can give. If the details about the AI clause are true, Hasbro could save itself a tremendous amount of money on royalties and actors.
The truth behind it all is that kids grow up and their voices change. If you can get an AI replica of their voice, you’ve just eliminated a bunch of issues. The kid can grow up, but you can still use their voice for all kinds of products. You don’t need to hire anyone else, and you don’t need to pay the original actor for new recordings. How wonderfully convenient for everyone but the actor.
It Will Only Get Worse
Issues like this are only going to continue to grow in number and complexity. We stand at a pivotal time in the entertainment industry. Artificial intelligence can save production companies a lot of money at the cost of human expression and creativity. We’re sure there will be more stories to follow.
