Morgan Freeman 'pissed off' at AI recreations of his voice
Los Angeles, November 14
Hollywood icon Morgan Freeman called out the use of AI to recreate his unique voice and likeness.
Speaking to The Guardian, Morgan Freeman said his "lawyers have been very, very busy" as of late working to remove all unauthorized uses of his voice off the internet, as per Variety.
"I'm a little PO'd, you know," Freeman said. "I'm like any other actor: don't mimic me with falseness. I don't appreciate it and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if you're gonna do it without me, you're robbing me."
Earlier in June 2024, Freeman slammed AI, thanking his fans on X for calling out examples of AI ripping off Freeman's voice for advertisements the actor has not signed off on to promote.
He wrote at the time, "Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an A.I. voice imitating me. Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection"
Recently, many celebrities have spoken out against the use of AI.
Scarlet Johansson has been on the forefront of the anti-AI battle, criticizing OpenAI last year for using a voice similar to hers after she turned down the company's request to use her direct speaking voice. Johansson said she was "shocked" and "angered" by OpenAI's decision.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone working in tech, I understand both sides. AI has amazing potential, but stealing someone's voice without permission is just wrong. Freeman built his iconic voice over decades - he deserves to control it.
Remember when Amitabh Bachchan's voice was used without permission in some apps? Same issue! Celebrities' voices are their livelihood. AI companies should respect copyright laws. #SupportArtists
While I support protecting artists, I wonder if this will slow down technological progress too much. Maybe there should be a licensing system where creators get paid fairly for AI use of their voice?
Morgan Freeman's voice is iconic! Can't blame him for being angry. In India, we need to be proactive about this before our stars face similar issues. Our film industry should learn from Hollywood's experience.
This is a wake-up call for all creative professionals. Your voice, face, style - everything can be copied now. We need global standards for AI ethics, not just country-specific laws.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.