Actors Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville and Nicola Coughlan have joined performers like Derry Girls actress Siobhán McSweeney in writing to the UK government, urging them to introduce legislation that would give every person in the UK a legal right to own their voice. They argue that voice clones, created by training AI on recordings of real people, pose a significant threat to their industry.

Audiobook narrator Alice Sockett, a co-founder of the campaign, described voice theft as an “existential threat” to her industry, saying her voice was unprotected in the public domain. Other signatories include singer Sandi Thom, who said her voice was unique and irreplaceable, carrying with it a lifetime of emotion and personal history.

Government spokespersons have acknowledged the potential for digital replicas to be a powerful tool, but also highlighted the need to protect human creators. They have announced plans to launch a consultation on how to address these harms while fostering legitimate innovation. However, some, like voice cloning user Yvonne Johnson, have welcomed the technology for its benefits, such as allowing those with illnesses to still communicate through AI.

The demand for legal protection comes as UK laws are seen as becoming unfit for purpose due to the rapid advancements in AI technology. While the technology can bring new opportunities, it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse.