Morgan Freeman’s unmistakable voice, known for narrating iconic films and documentaries, was recently cloned without permission, sparking controversy and discussion about ethics and rights in the use of artificial intelligence. At 87 years old, the actor expressed gratitude to fans who alerted him to the unauthorized imitation last Friday (28).
Freeman, who lent his voice to films such as “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Million Dollar Baby,” as well as documentaries like “March of the Penguins” and “Life on Our Planet,” has become a prime target for voice cloning technologies due to his distinctive voice. In Brazil, his voice was traditionally dubbed by Antônio Moreno, who passed away in 2022, and is currently voiced by Márcio Simões.
The recent case involved a woman on TikTok who used a copy of Freeman’s voice to pretend to be his niece, narrating her life and outings as if funded by the actor. On social media, Freeman thanked fans for their vigilance and support in reporting the unauthorized use of his voice. He emphasized the importance of authenticity and integrity, stating:
“Thank you to my amazing fans for your vigilance and support in pointing out the unauthorized use of an AI voice imitating me. Your dedication helps maintain authenticity, and integrity remains sovereign. Grateful.”
This incident intensifies the debate over the use of AI in the entertainment industry, which has already seen controversial cases such as Scarlett Johansson’s voice being used by OpenAI’s personal assistant, Sky, and the posthumous reproduction of artists like Tupac Shakur in Drake’s music. In both cases, legal actions were necessary to prevent the misuse of vocal characteristics.
In the United States, several Hollywood artists have been pushing Congress to regulate voice cloning technology, but there have been no significant advances in this area yet. The issue raises concerns about copyright and the need for legislation to protect artists’ vocal identities.
