The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked widespread concern over its potential to replace human jobs, a reality that hit home for voice-over artists Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage in an unexpected way.
While driving in June 2023 near their New York City home, the couple tuned into a podcast discussing Hollywood strikes and the impact of AI on the industry. As fellow voice-over professionals, they were particularly intrigued, fearing that AI-generated voice technology could threaten their livelihoods.
To their astonishment, the podcast featured an AI chatbot utilizing text-to-speech software that replicated Mr. Lehrman’s voice discussing the detrimental effects of AI on jobs. The chilling realization prompted Mr. Lehrman to pull over, as he said, “The irony that AI is coming for the entertainment industry, and here is my voice talking about the potential destruction of the industry, was really quite shocking.”
After hours of searching online, the couple discovered a voice-cloning platform featuring replicas of their voices, which Ms. Sage described as “stunning” and “hard to believe,” leading them to file a lawsuit against the company.
Clone Wars Unfold
The couple alleges that the company cloned their voices under misleading circumstances. According to Lovo co-founder Tom Lee, creating a voice replica requires just 50 sentences, capturing intricate details such as tone, style, and accent.
In their lawsuit, Lehrman and Sage contend that Lovo obtained recordings from them through a user who contacted them via a freelance platform to provide audio work for various media. In 2019, Ms. Sage was approached to record generic radio scripts, which she delivered for $400. Months later, Mr. Lehrman received a similar request for radio ads, compensated with $1,200.
Legal Implications of Voice Cloning
The lawsuit, filed in May, claims that the voice recordings were used to create unauthorized copies, competing directly with Mr. Lehrman and Ms. Sage’s services. They argue that the company engaged in this practice without consent or fair compensation.
Legal experts suggest that the case could hinge on the rights of publicity, relating to the unauthorized use of one’s voice or likeness. Additionally, there may be a breach of contract concerning the licensing of their recordings.
Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit reflects a broader trend of creatives fighting to protect their work in the face of emerging AI technologies, highlighting concerns that AI could disrupt not only the entertainment industry but potentially 40% of all jobs in the future.
For Mr. Lehrman and Ms. Sage, the threat of AI impacting their careers is not a distant concern but a current reality, as Ms. Sage noted, “This whole experience has felt so surreal.”
