Unauthorized voice cloning discovered: Jeff Geerling, a YouTube content creator, found that his voice had been used without permission in promotional videos for Elecrow, an electronics company.
- Geerling discovered the unauthorized use of his voice when a viewer alerted him to an Elecrow video that sounded like him but contained words he never said.
- The cloned voice was used in multiple tutorial series for Elecrow products, including those on ESP32 and RP2040.
- Geerling believes his YouTube videos were likely used to train an AI voice clone tool, which then generated the narration for Elecrow’s videos.
Ethical and legal concerns: The incident raises questions about the ethics of AI voice cloning and the potential lack of legal protections for content creators.
- Geerling references the case of OpenAI cloning Scarlett Johansson’s voice, which he thought would lead to more caution in using AI-generated voices for commercial purposes.
- There is currently limited legal precedent for unauthorized AI voice cloning, although there is precedent for using someone’s voice in commercial works without consent (e.g., Midler vs. Ford case).
- It’s unclear whether non-consensual voice cloning violates YouTube’s Terms of Service.
Content creator’s dilemma: Geerling faces challenges in addressing this situation and protecting his rights.
- He hopes it was an honest mistake by Elecrow, given their previously positive relationship.
- Geerling is hesitant to pursue legal action due to the associated costs and lack of clear legal precedent.
- He emphasizes the importance of hiring voiceover artists or collaborating with content creators rather than using AI-generated voices without permission.
Attempts at resolution: Geerling has taken initial steps to address the issue directly with Elecrow.
- He sent an email requesting the removal of the video series featuring the AI-generated voice that sounds like him.
- Geerling asked Elecrow if the use of a voice similar to his was intentional or if they had trained an AI model on his content.
- He prefers to start with direct communication rather than resorting to YouTube takedowns or legal action.
Prior relationship with Elecrow: The incident is particularly surprising given Geerling’s previous interactions with the company.
- Geerling has exchanged over 43 emails with various Elecrow marketing representatives since 2020.
- Elecrow has previously approached Geerling about potential paid partnerships, indicating their awareness of his channel and content.
Broader implications for content creators: This incident highlights the growing challenges faced by creators in the age of AI-generated content.
- As AI voice cloning technology becomes more sophisticated and accessible, content creators may need to be increasingly vigilant about protecting their intellectual property and personal brand.
- The lack of clear legal frameworks for addressing AI-generated content misuse may leave creators vulnerable to exploitation.
- This case underscores the need for platforms, companies, and policymakers to develop clearer guidelines and protections for content creators in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
They stole my voice with AI
