Demand for regulatory action on AI-generated voice mimicking by Mexican voice actors
In a significant move, voice actors in Mexico have taken to the streets of Mexico City to protest against the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) voice cloning to their industry. The demonstration was sparked by the unauthorized use of the late actor Jose Lavat's voice by the National Electoral Institute in a TikTok video, without his family's consent [1][2].
The current legal framework in Mexico does not provide specific protections against AI voice cloning. However, the Mexican Association of Commercial Announcements, led by Lili Barba, is advocating for a change. They propose recognizing the voice as a biometric identifier, a move that would provide a legal basis for restricting unauthorized use [2].
The demand for this legislation is not isolated. Voice actors globally, including in the U.S., are expressing concerns about AI voice cloning and its impact on their profession [5]. In Mexico and other countries, the push for regulation is part of a broader conversation about the ethical and legal implications of AI in the entertainment industry.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish regulations for AI voice cloning, requiring consent for its use [1][4]. The key aspect is the recognition of the voice as a biometric identifier, which would protect individuals' voices from unauthorized use.
If no legislation is passed, there is a fear that human voice dubbing may disappear, potentially affecting millions of artists' jobs. This concern was echoed last year when actor Scarlett Johansson accused tech firm OpenAI of imitating her voice for one of their chatbots [6]. Actors also fear that studios might use AI to replace paid content, a concern that was a key issue during Hollywood's 2023 actors and writers' strikes [7].
The protests in Mexico City saw dozens of audiovisual professionals holding signs with messages such as "I don't want to be replaced by AI." The voice actors are hopeful that their demands will lead to the enactment of legislation that safeguards their profession and ensures their voices are protected.
The Mexican Association of Commercial Announcements, led by Lili Barba, is advocating for legislation that aims to recognize the voice as a biometric identifier, seeking regulations for artificial intelligence voice cloning to protect individual voices from unauthorized use.
Simultaneously, voice actors worldwide, including in the U.S., are expressing apprehensions about the impact of AI voice cloning on their profession, with potential job losses if no legislation is passed.
