David Attenborough slams AI voice cloning amid rising scams in UK

David Attenborough has criticized an AI-generated clone of his voice, expressing that he is “profoundly disturbed” by its use. This comes amid reports that AI voice cloning scams have risen by 30% in the United Kingdom over the past year.

In a recent segment on BBC News, the broadcaster aired an AI-generated version of Attenborough’s voice alongside a genuine recording of him saying the same words.

Following the broadcast, Attenborough issued a statement expressing his disapproval of the technology.

He told the BBC: “Having spent a lifetime trying to speak what I believe to be the truth, I am profoundly disturbed to find that these days, my identity is being stolen by others and greatly object to them using it to say whatever they wish.”

The cherished natural historian then presented an AI-generated response to his statement, in which the technology responded: “Let’s set the record straight. Unless Mr. Attenborough has been moonlighting for us in secret and under an assumed name with work authorisation in the United States, he is not on our payroll.

“I am not David Attenborough. We are both male, British voices for sure. However, I am not David Attenborough, for anyone out there who might be confused.”

In response, Dr. Dominic Lees, an expert in AI in film and television and an advisor to a UK parliamentary committee, told The Guardian: “Our privacy and copyright laws aren’t up to date with what this new technology presents, so there’s very little that David Attenborough can do.

“The government definitely needs to look at [voice cloning], because it’s a major issue for fraud.”

According to research released this month by NatWest, there had been a significant rise in AI-powered voice cloning scams.

The bank’s fraud expert, Stuart Skinner, stated: “AI voice cloning scams are a relatively new form of fraud where scammers use advanced tech to imitate someone’s voice, which can be pretty convincing.”

ReadWrite has also previously reported on other instances of voices being used without permission. AI startup ElevenLabs was blamed for deepfake Joe Biden robocalls targeting New Hampshire voters in January.

The SAG-AFTRA actors’ union also reached a voice cloning agreement with AI talent agency Narrativ to ensure performers were fairly compensated if their voices were used and that permission would be required to use their voices.

ReadWrite has reached out to Dr. Dominic Lees for comment.

Featured image: Canva / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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