Morgan Freeman has had enough of AI using his voice.
Morgan Freeman is suing over unauthorized AI voice clones while other actors are signing deals to license theirs. Why the split?
Morgan Freeman Takes a Stand Against AI Voice Cloning
Morgan Freeman is now pursuing legal measures because he considers the unauthorized cloning of his voice a form of theft. As an actor and narrator, his voice is not just a recognizable trait. It is the foundation of his career. He has built his reputation over decades using that voice, and it plays a central role in how he earns a living.
When companies or individuals use AI technology to imitate his voice without asking for permission, Freeman sees it as a violation. Not only of his personal rights, but also of his professional identity. In his view, it is no different from taking something that belongs to him. His voice is his tool. Using it without consent is, to him, like stealing.
That is why he is now turning to the legal system. He wants to ensure that his voice is not used, copied, or replicated by others unless he explicitly allows it. For Freeman, this is not just about control. It is about protecting what is rightfully his.
McConaughey and Caine See It Another Way
It’s also entirely possible to do this the legal way. Both Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have already gone down that path by signing contracts with a company called ElevenLabs, which allows their voices to be cloned with their explicit permission.
In other words, these actors have chosen to authorize the use of their voices under agreed terms. This shows that there are different ways of handling AI voice cloning. While some, like Morgan Freeman, are fighting against it, others are embracing it under controlled conditions.
Not One Path
In the end, we can see that there's no single way to approach AI voice cloning in Hollywood. For some, like Morgan Freeman, it's a matter of protecting their identity and livelihood, seeing unauthorized use as a form of theft. For others, like McConaughey and Caine, it's an opportunity they're willing to explore under agreed terms. Ultimately, these different approaches highlight how actors are navigating this new technological landscape in their own ways.
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