Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman recently took to social media to thank his fans for alerting him to the unauthorized use of his voice being recreated using artificial intelligence (AI). The 87-year-old Oscar-winning actor expressed his gratitude to his loyal supporters for their vigilance in calling out the AI voice imitating him, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and integrity.
Freeman, known for his iconic roles in films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby, did not specify the exact issue with AI in his post. However, reports have surfaced of a TikTok influencer mimicking his voice using technology, even joking that she is his niece. Additionally, a deepfake artist created an AI-generated video of Freeman in 2022.
The actor, who has lent his distinctive voice to documentaries and advertisements, is not the only celebrity to have encountered issues with AI replication. Earlier this year, Scarlett Johansson expressed shock and anger at the similarity between her voice and one used in the ChatGPT platform. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, agreed to pause the use of the voice after Johansson’s legal intervention.
The incident involving Freeman and Johansson is just one example of the growing concerns surrounding AI technology and its potential misuse. In January, social media platform X had to block searches related to Taylor Swift after fake, AI-generated explicit images of the singer were circulated online.
As AI continues to advance, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and protect their identities from unauthorized use. Freeman’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining authenticity in a world where technology can easily blur the lines between reality and imitation.