Concerns Over AI Use of Celebrity Voices
AI-generated videos using celebrity likenesses are becoming increasingly concerning, especially for one notable Hollywood figure.
Though AI’s role in online videos is still developing, the practice of using synthetic celebrity voices in contexts like news, violence, or documentaries has already become frequent.
“I really don’t appreciate it, and I get paid to do this stuff,” the actor remarked, emphasizing how this trend affects him directly.
A particular issue arises with satirical clips that mimic documentary styles. Creators tend to gravitate towards well-known voices—like David Attenborough’s and, notably, Morgan Freeman’s. His voice is so iconic that many have dubbed him “the voice of God.”
However, Freeman, who is now 88, has expressed his discontent regarding the replication of his voice. In a conversation with the Guardian, he pointed out that, unlike some actors—like James Earl Jones, who has allowed his voice to be imitated—he does not consent to such practices.
“Honestly, I’m a bit PO’d,” Freeman stated. He continued, “Like any other actor, I don’t want fakes. If you’re doing this without my permission, you’re essentially robbing me of my income.”
Freeman elaborated that his legal team is “very busy” dealing with numerous situations where his voice has been used without authorization.
During the same discussion, he didn’t hold back when critiquing the idea of AI actors. For instance, he was asked about Tilly Norwood, an AI character created in 2025. Eline van der Velden, the actress behind Norwood, intends for these characters to replace traditional actors to cut costs.
“She’s not a real person; she’s just an avatar pretending to be one,” Freeman pointed out. “In film or TV, that’s not going to work out. The union’s role is to protect performers, so there will inevitably be conflicts.”
Freeman also referred to an incident from 2024 involving a TikTok creator who claimed to be his niece and used a digital rendition of his voice in her video.
Upon discovering this, Freeman publicly expressed his gratitude to fans: “Thank you for your vigilance in combating the fraudulent use of AI voices that mimic me. Your commitment to preserving authenticity and integrity is invaluable.”
It’s not the first time AI has tried to establish a foothold in entertainment. A notable case was the AI rapper FN Meka, who made headlines in 2022 but was later dropped due to complaints about racial stereotyping.
