A star from The Simpsons says there’s a very real possibility of voice actors being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).
Hank Azaria has worked on the animated sitcom since 1989, providing the voices for a host of beloved characters like Moe Szyslak, Comic Book Guy, Chief Wiggum, Duffman, and more.
He was also the voice of Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from 1990 until 2017 when the character became more of a background feature. This came about amid criticism from Indian comedian Hari Kondabolu who created a documentary examining the issues with a white actor voicing a character of South Asian descent.
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During a recent appearance on the Our Way podcast, Azaria reflected on performers in his industry being replaced by artificial intelligence.
The 60-year-old said: “AI replacing us essentially vocally… My perspective on it, and I hate to say right now there’s nuances they can’t quite get, you still need the human element, but I’m not sure how much longer that’s going to be the case.”
He added: “It’s coming, it’s the steam engine essentially, it’s going to be really interesting how they use it.
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“As a vocal artist, I came to see what we do as offering choices in editing, you try it this way, you rehearse, if you do it live then you do the editing in rehearsal, you try and figure out the best way to deliver this.
“The computer can give you unlimited choices in a nanosecond for free. Although you still need a human working the dial, as it were.”
AI has the frightening capability of mimicking the voices of people. Stephen Fry previously spoke out after his voice was stolen from the Harry Potter audiobooks and replicated by AI.
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Musicians have also shared their discontent after finding AI songs that feature replications of their voices.
Cher previously said she wants AI to be made illegal in the music industry.
After hearing an AI-generated version of herself covering a song by another music legend, she told AP: "Someone did me singing a Madonna song and it was kind of shocking.
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"They didn't have it down perfectly.
"But also, I've spent my entire life trying to be myself, and now these a******s are going to go take it? And they'll do my acting and they'll do my singing?
"And I mean, it's just… it's out of control."
The 77-year-old star then added that she believes it should be outlawed.
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"I'm telling you, if you work forever to become somebody - and I'm not talking about somebody in the famous, money part - but an artist and then someone just takes it from you, it seems like it should be illegal,” Cher said.
Gregory Robinson