David Attenborough has criticised an AI clone of his voice, admitting he is “profoundly disturbed” by it.
During a recent segment on BBC News, the channel played an AI-generated version of the broadcaster’s voice next to a real recording of the star saying the same thing.
However, Attenborough has since released a statement sharing his disapproval.
“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,” he told the BBC.
The broadcaster then shared an AI-generated response to Attenborough’s statement, in which the technology said: “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.”
The AI version of the beloved natural historian was discovered by BBC researchers on a website before being played on the channel.
BBC News also used Attenborough’s AI voice to comment on current topics such as the War in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general following his victory in the US presidential election.
Commenting on the matter, University of Southhampton AI audio researcher Dr. Jennifer Williams admitted she was “a little disgusted” about the use of his AI voice on such topics.
David Attenborough. CREDIT: Getty/John Walton – PA Images
“This is very serious to think about, when you have a trusted voice like Sir David Attenborough, who all around the world people recognise him as an authority, as a voice of truth,” she added. “And then to have words put in his mouth about war, politics and things that he has never said or may not ever endorse, it’s very concerning.”
Attenborough isn’t the only celebrity to have their voice recreated by AI, with the Grateful Dead star Jerry Garcia’s estate partnering with AI voice company ElevenLabs to recreate the late star for books, articles, PDFs and more. Meanwhile, the late Michael Parkinson’s voice is being used through AI for a new podcast chat show.
Many stars have spoken out on the use of AI, with the likes of Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus recently signing a statement against the use of creatives’ works to train systems.
Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. has vowed to sue any “future” executives who create AI digital replicas of him.
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