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Nicola Coughlan and Matt Lucas among stars backing campaign against AI voice cloning
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A group of prominent British actors, including Nicola Coughlan, Hugh Bonneville, and Matt Lucas, have united to launch the "Save Our Voices Now" campaign, opposing the unauthorized cloning of human voices by artificial intelligence. The initiative, supported by actors such as Luke Evans, Jen Brister, Siobhán McSweeney, and Pearl Mackie, seeks to halt a technology that can replicate a person's voice to make it say anything without their consent.
Hugh Bonneville, known for his roles in "Paddington" and "Downton Abbey," emphasized the personal nature of one's voice. He stated, "My voice is unique, it's mine, it's part of my identity," clarifying that his quote was handwritten to avoid any AI-generated ambiguity.
The campaign's actions include an open letter signed by approximately 80 individuals, addressed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. A parallel petition on the UK government's official website, Gov.uk, is urging the introduction of legislation granting every person statutory ownership of their own voice.
Actor Siobhán McSweeney, from "Derry Girls," expressed deep concern that legal and ethical frameworks are lagging behind the rapid progression of AI. She argued for the necessity of human connection in art and for AI to be used as a tool rather than a replacement for human creators.
The campaign highlights a significant public concern, citing data that 28% of UK adults report being targeted by a voice-cloning scam. Founder Peter Caulfield warned that a voice can be cloned from just three seconds of audio, calling the situation a "Black Mirror episode" that is already a reality.
Caulfield accused the government of allowing AI companies to profit from artists' voices without consent and enabling criminal activity. He called for immediate legislative action to protect both personal identity and creative livelihoods.
Looking internationally, the campaign points to Denmark as a model for potential reform. Danish law reforms now grant citizens legal ownership over their face, body, and voice, providing a framework to demand the removal of unauthorized AI content and seek compensation. The "Save Our Voices Now" campaign seeks similar legal protections in the United Kingdom.
