A woman who believes her voice has been used to create ScotRail's new AI-generated announcement system is calling for it to be removed from trains. ScotRail recently introduced a synthetic Scottish voice to make onboard announcements in place of pre-recorded human announcers. Voiceover artist Gayanne Potter said the artificial announcer - which is marketed as an imaginary character called Iona - was trained by Swedish technology firm ReadSpeaker using her voice. ReadSpeaker told BBC Scotland News it had already addressed Ms Potter's concerns "several times". ScotRail said it had no plans to remove "Iona" and the dispute was between the company and the voiceover artist. Ms Potter said she did some work for ReadSpeaker in 2021 which she was told would be used for accessibility and e-learning software. But two years later, when the job was largely forgotten, a friend sent her a link to ReadSpeaker's website. Ms Potter opened the page to find Iona - a text-to-speech programme marketed as a red haired woman standing in a Scottish glen. "It is my voice - I'm absolutely certain it's my voice,” she said. "I was horrified - the quality of it was dreadful." Last week Ms Potter discovered the voice was being introduced across ScotRail after reading a BBC Scotland online story. It told how some passengers had expressed unhappiness with the new artificial announcer. One passenger said: "It was weird. I could tell it was AI because it sounded so robotic." Ms Potter, who said she had been in dispute with ReadSpeaker for two years, revealed that after reading the online story she burst into tears. "After the years that I've gone through to try to have my data removed - it's still being used," she said. "I also have to look on social media and see people mocking it, berating it. "They don't realise it's actually a real person who's been put through a dreadful voice app." Ms Potter added: "It's hard enough for people in the creative industry to sustain careers but to be competing with a robotic version of yourself just adds insult to injury." ReadSpeaker markets its products, including Iona, as an "AI voice generator," but it said all of its programmes are based on "human voice talent". The firm uses a text-to-speech model, that means a user can type anything and Iona will read it out loud. The technology uses artificial intelligence learning but AI needs something to learn from. In this instance, it is voice recordings of an accent or language it is trying to emulate. In response to the complaints, the tech firm said: "ReadSpeaker is aware of Ms Potter's concerns, and has comprehensively addressed these with Ms Potter's legal representative several times in the past." Jennifer Cass, a partner at law firm Dentons, said there was a gap when it came to some protections against AI usage. She said copyright extended to literary and artistic works but not "likeness or image". "At the moment, there is no protection for image and voice in the UK," Ms Cass said. "It is something that is being considered in the context of the AI copyright consultation which recently closed." Ms Cass added: "There is a question about whether copyright should be expanded to cover likeness and image and to prevent the creation of digital replicas as well." Liam Budd is an industrial official for recorded media at UK trade union Equity, which represents 50,000 workers throughout the creative industries. He said: "Sadly this is just one example of many performers who have their image or voice used to generate digital replicas without their full or informed consent. "This is a real concern. "Our members are effectively competing in a marketplace with AI systems that have been trained on their own image and voice without their consent. "Their likeness is effectively being hijacked." Ms Potter said that AI had developed massively in the past four years and a lot of historical contracts were not fit for purpose. She added: "Why would I give my voice away that was going to do me out of work forever? That's nuts." Ms Potter also believed that her work should be covered by GDPR - UK and EU data protection regulations - and that her consent should have been required for ReadSpeaker to sell a commercial programme. She contacted the Information Commissioner's Office, the regulatory body which advises on data protection rights established by UK law. But it said that the case was outside its jurisdiction as the data was controlled by ReadSpeaker. Ms Potter said she was now asking her lawyers to approach ScotRail to request the announcements be removed. She said: "If ScotRail want to do the right thing, I'm happy to do their voice announcements. "At least I know how to say Milngavie."
Voiceover artist calls on ScotRail to stop using her voice for AI announcements
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Voiceover Artist Calls for Removal of AI Announcements Using Her Voice on ScotRail"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Gayanne Potter, a voiceover artist, is calling for ScotRail to cease using her voice in its new AI-generated announcement system. The system, which features a synthetic Scottish voice named Iona, was developed by the Swedish technology firm ReadSpeaker. Potter claims that her voice was used without her consent to train the AI, which she initially provided for accessibility and e-learning software in 2021. When she discovered Iona being used for ScotRail announcements, she was horrified, stating that the quality of the voice was dreadful and that it did not accurately represent her work. This revelation was particularly distressing for her, as she had been in a dispute with ReadSpeaker for two years regarding the unauthorized use of her voice. She expressed her frustration upon learning that her voice was being paraded as an AI creation, especially after seeing passengers criticize the robotic nature of the announcements. Her emotional response highlights the broader issues of consent and ownership in the age of artificial intelligence, particularly for creatives in the industry.
The situation has sparked discussions about the legal protections surrounding the use of voices and likenesses in AI technologies. Jennifer Cass, a partner at a law firm, noted that current UK copyright laws do not extend protections to likenesses or voices, leaving artists vulnerable to exploitation. This gap in legal protection allows companies like ReadSpeaker to create digital replicas of voices without the explicit consent of the original creators. Liam Budd from the UK trade union Equity echoed these concerns, emphasizing that many performers find their likenesses being used without their knowledge or approval. Potter believes that her work should be protected under data protection regulations and is urging ScotRail to remove the AI announcements. She even offered to do the announcements herself to ensure quality and accuracy. The ongoing debate raises important questions about the future of creative work and the need for updated regulations that account for advancements in AI technology.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a conflict involving voiceover artist Gayanne Potter and ScotRail regarding the use of her voice in an AI-generated announcement system. This case highlights broader issues related to technology, intellectual property, and the impact of AI on creative professions.
Intent Behind the Publication
The report seems aimed at raising awareness about the ethical implications of using a person's voice without consent in AI applications. By highlighting Potter's distress and the public's mixed reactions to the AI-generated announcements, the article seeks to foster empathy and provoke discussions on the need for regulation in the use of AI technology.
Public Perception
The narrative likely aims to evoke a sense of injustice among the audience, particularly within creative industries. By showcasing Potter's emotional response and the perceived inadequacies of the AI voice, the article could lead to a growing skepticism of AI implementations, especially in contexts that involve human creativity and expression.
Potential Concealments
While the article is focused on Potter's plight, it may inadvertently downplay the broader implications of AI in society. This includes the potential for greater efficiency and accessibility that AI technologies can bring, which might be overlooked in favor of emphasizing individual cases of misuse.
Reliability of the News
The article appears credible as it includes direct quotes from the involved parties, such as Potter and representatives from ScotRail and ReadSpeaker. However, without additional context or expert opinions on AI ethics and voice rights, the portrayal may lack balance.
Communicated Message
The central message revolves around the need for ethical considerations in technology usage, specifically regarding AI and intellectual property rights. By framing the issue through Potter's experience, the article could influence public opinion against unchecked technological advancements.
Connections to Other News
This story can be linked to wider discussions on AI and its implications in various sectors, including entertainment, education, and public services. It resonates with ongoing debates about privacy, consent, and the commodification of personal data.
Industry Image
The publication contributes to a growing narrative that critiques the tech industry's approach to using human creativity. It may reinforce a negative image of companies that employ AI technologies without adequate safeguards for individual rights.
Societal and Economic Impacts
In the wake of this article, there may be increased calls for regulatory frameworks governing AI technologies, potentially impacting the tech industry economically. Additionally, public sentiment may sway toward supporting artists and creators, leading to greater advocacy for ethical standards in AI usage.
Target Audience
This news piece likely resonates with artists, voice-over professionals, and advocates for digital rights. It appeals to those concerned about the intersection of technology and creative industries, fostering solidarity among those who may feel threatened by AI advancements.
Market Effects
While the article does not directly reference stock markets, it may influence investor sentiment towards companies involved in AI technology and voice synthesis. Concerns about public backlash could lead to caution among investors in these sectors.
Geopolitical Relevance
Although not directly tied to global power dynamics, this situation reflects ongoing concerns about technology's impact on labor and creativity, relevant in today's discussions on automation and job displacement.
AI Influence in Reporting
The possibility of AI being used in crafting the article exists, particularly in generating summaries or specific phrases. However, the emotional depth conveyed in Potter's experience suggests human authorship. If AI were involved, it may have shaped the narrative to emphasize emotional resonance.
In conclusion, the article effectively highlights the ethical dilemmas associated with AI and personal rights, fostering a conversation that is increasingly relevant in today's technology-driven society. While it presents a credible case, the story may benefit from a broader exploration of the implications of AI on creativity.