Sir David Attenborough is ‘profoundly disturbed’ by unauthorised AI clones of his voice.
The legendary 98-year-old broadcaster and naturalist’s voice is instantly recognisable by audiences thanks to decades of narrating documentaries such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet and his new programme Asia.
However, an artificial intelligence (AI) replica of his voice has been popping in recent weeks up on platforms like YouTube, where it is being used to deliver partisan news reports.
Addressing the news, Attenborough told BBC News that the AI clone amounts to identity theft.
‘Having spent a lifetime trying to speak what I believe to be the truth, I am profoundly disturbed to find these days my identity is being stolen by others and greatly object to them using it to say whatever they wish,’ he said in a statement.
The controversy came to light after BBC News aired a voiceover from Asia, in which Sir David says: ‘If you …