AI Voice Cloning Scandal Rocks Scotland's Railways

A concerning case of AI voice cloning has emerged in Scotland. Voiceover artist Gayanne Potter recently discovered that her voice, used in advertisements for brands such as B&Q, Estée Lauder, and Apple, is being used without her knowledge or consent on ScotRail trains. Potter stated, "I feel completely violated. My voice is my job, and I should be allowed to know who I'm working with and what I'm working on." This unauthorized use of her voice is linked to a project she completed with the Swedish firm ReadSpeaker during the Covid-19 pandemic. ScotRail has told Sky News that they have no plans to remove the voice from their system. However, Potter and her union strongly dispute ScotRail’s claim, characterizing the situation as exploitative. This incident raises important questions about the ethical and legal implications of AI voice cloning and the protection of artists' rights in the digital age. The case underscores the need for stricter regulations and clearer guidelines regarding the use of AI in creative industries to protect artists from similar unauthorized exploitation.