Summary
A voiceover artist, Gayanne Potter, claims that her voice was used to create ScotRail's new AI-generated train announcement system without her consent. The AI voice, named Iona, was developed by the technology firm ReadSpeaker and has caused controversy among passengers who find it robotic.
Key Facts
- Gayanne Potter is a voiceover artist who believes her voice was used to train the AI voice for ScotRail's announcements.
- The AI voice, called Iona, was created by the Swedish company ReadSpeaker.
- ReadSpeaker claims to have addressed Potter's concerns multiple times.
- ScotRail plans to continue using the Iona system despite the dispute.
- Potter worked with ReadSpeaker in 2021 for a different project.
- Potter expressed distress at discovering the AI's use and received negative feedback from passengers about its robotic sound.
- Legal expert Jennifer Cass noted that current UK copyright laws do not protect a person's voice or likeness against AI usage.
- ReadSpeaker markets Iona as an "AI voice generator" based on human voice talent.
