Morgan Freeman has thanked a fan for bringing to his attention the “unauthorized” use of artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate his voice.
His distinctive voice has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on films like The Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby, and he took to X/Twitter to thank people who warned him about AI-generated imitations of his voice online after a series of videos made by someone posing as his niece went viral.
“Thank you to all my amazing fans for your vigilance and support in flagging the unauthorized use of an AI voice impersonating me,” Freeman wrote in a thank you post on June 28. “Your dedication helps ensure authenticity and honesty come first. Thank you. #AI #scam #copycat #privacy.”
Thank you to all my amazing fans for your vigilance and support in reporting the unauthorized use of an AI voice that imitates me. Your dedication ensures that authenticity and honesty remain a top priority. Thank you. #AI #scam #imitation #privacy protection
— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) June 28, 2024
Freeman did not provide details about the incident, but the post came after a TikTok user went viral for posting a video featuring an AI-generated voiceover by Freeman. The content creator also created a playlist dedicated to “Uncle Mo”'s voiceover videos, including one titled “A Day in the Life of Nipo's Niece.”
The person who made the post later responded to Freeman's reports of the idiocy, saying it was “a bit of fun” and a “very obvious” joke.
Freeman is just the latest Hollywood star to fall victim to unauthorised AI copycats: Tom Hanks previously warned fans that an AI version of his likeness was being used in online adverts for dental insurance, while Robin Williams' daughter Zelda denounced the “disturbing” use of AI to recreate her late father's voice and other features.
As Hollywood itself grapples with the rise of AI, more and more people are speaking out about the technology: Tim Burton has denounced AI-generated art, background actors in WandaVision have expressed concerns about “digital replicas,” and James Cameron has warned about the dangers it could pose in the future.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretin/Getty Images
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter. here.
