Morgan Freeman Is Stopping AI Voice Theft: “I Have Lawyers”
The Hollywood icon cautions AI imitators, saying, “Don’t Copy Me With Falseness.”
Although Morgan Freeman is well-known for having a voice that seems to control the room, he wants everyone to know that his renowned sound was not the result of pure luck but rather of hard work.
The Oscar winner discussed the rising issue of artificial intelligence being used to mimic his vocal characteristics during a Friday appearance on CBS Mornings. “I have attorneys.” His legal team is already working to “tamp that down,” he acknowledged, as illegal digital copies of his voice are still making the rounds online.
The reason for the actor’s annoyance is that he studied for years to get his signature delivery. He clarified that his deep, distinctive tone was not a natural talent he was born with but rather the result of deliberate effort. Freeman explained, “I studied voice and diction in school.” He added that yawning is one simple physical technique that can assist in relaxing the throat and producing a deeper, more resonant sound. He sees AI impersonation as a type of financial theft since he sees his voice as a professional tool.
He was even more blunt in an interview with The Guardian, saying, “Don’t imitate me in a fake way. If you’re going to do it without me, you’re stealing from me since I get paid to do things like that.
Freeman isn’t entirely against the technology if there is a fair contract involved, even if he has been fighting illegal clones in court. He remembered a time in the past when he was paid by a firm to utilize a voice actor who sounded like him. “Yeah, that works,” he said in response to the question of whether remuneration makes a difference.
He did, however, voice grave worries over the emergence of AI actors and the general effects of digital performers in the sector. He thinks that substituting artificial talent for human talent could lead to long-term conflict inside the company.
