According to an AI expert speaking with Sky News, Hollywood A-listers may soon start utilizing voice doubles generated by artificial intelligence just like they use stunt doubles.
Despite the celebration of craftsmanship and creativity at events like the BAFTAs and Oscars, there has been some controversy in the industry over the secretive use of AI technology in post-production.
Brady Corbet, the director of The Brutalist, clarified to Deadline that actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones put in months of work with a dialect coach to perfect their accents, but AI was still used to enhance their Hungarian vowel sounds in post-production.
Other films like A Complete Unknown and Dune: Part Two have also come under scrutiny for their use of AI technology.
On the flip side, Hugh Grant‘s film Heretic proudly declared in its credits that no generative AI was used in its making.
Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones star in The Brutalist. Pic: Rex/ Everett/Shutterstock
‘Horrendous’ dubbing may be a thing of the past
Ausrine Skarnulyte, CEO of Voice-Swap, emphasized the inevitability of AI technology in the film industry, stating that the use of voice doubles is the direction the industry is headed towards. This technology not only saves time for actors by allowing their voices to be cloned for a project but also saves money for studios.
Ausrine Skarnulyte, from Voice-Swap, spoke to Sky’s Katie Spencer
Skarnulyte explained how sound engineers can use official AI voice models for post-production edits without actors needing to re-record lines, even for dubbing films in different languages.
She highlighted the potential for creating voice models like Antonio Banderas’ to speak in any language, transforming the dubbing process significantly.
Pic: AP
Sky correspondent’s AI voice experience
After providing a 45-minute recording of her speech, a basic AI version of the Sky correspondent was created within a day by the Voice-Swap team. The realistic nature of the AI version was startling, showcasing how AI technology can replicate voices without extensive learning.
This advancement, which would typically take months for actors to achieve, has the potential to revolutionize the dubbing process for multiple languages.
Katie Spencer spoke some words in Lithuanian and then compared her voice to a basic AI version of her speech
While the growing influence of AI in the industry may be unsettling for some, proponents argue that it should be seen as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace it.
Awareness of AI’s presence in film is expected to increase, with plans to mandate disclosure of AI use at the Oscars next year.
Embracing AI as a collaborative tool in the creative process is key to navigating its impact on the industry.