“Six months ago, we were of the view that AI text-to-voice technology would never be as good as humans and would not add value to our clients’ projects. However, over the last few months, the technology improved rapidly – much quicker than we’d expected,” Abe Udy, founder of Abe’s Audio, has told Mediaweek.
Udy’s audio production agency has developed an ‘ethical AI voiceover’ offering to help its clients increase efficiency, reduce costs, and produce quality content at scale in response to mounting cost pressures in the industry.
He explained that with ethical AI voiceovers, the audio production agency can create quality guide voiceovers for video content, e-learning material, and projects requiring thousands of deliverables, plus provide multiple voice talent options in a pitch.
“Ethical AI voiceovers help to reduce costs for some projects. They are not ideal for every project, but there are some great use cases.”
“These voices are real people”
Udy explained that ethical AI voiceovers are human-centred, AI-created voiceovers. While the innovation reduces talent costs for agencies, video content producers, and broadcasters, it also protects voice talent and ensures they are paid for using their voice, he said.
“Working with some of our most popular voice artists – and giving them the chance to opt in – we’ve created professional AI models of their voices. This allows our clients to turn written scripts into professional voiceovers and audio content using voice talent they already know and use.
“When their voice is used to create a read, the talent is paid a fee. They have full visibility over all work created and can opt-out anytime.
“And, if the AI voice delivery is not quite what the client is looking for, they can get full creative control by booking the human talent.
“That’s the advantage – these voices are real people.”
Udy said his team has also developed guidelines to ensure the protection and fair treatment of talent. He noted that the AI voice models have been created and funded by Abe’s Audio and are only available for our team to use when working on a project.
“This ensures we can control how and where their voices are used and protect the privacy of our talent.”
Udy also noted that Abe’s Audio protects its talent by not allowing specific categories to be created using AI voice clones, such as finance, religion, adult entertainment, politics, and impersonation of minority groups.
Udy behind the mic
“A ‘lightbulb’ moment for many”
Udy said there was an initial concern that the industry might react negatively, but the response has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
“Clients have been very supportive of the service and have recognised where it can add value to their workflows. In particular, many have commented that they really like the ‘ethical’ model – that talent has opted in and is paid for the use of their voices.”
He explained that one of the biggest differences between ethical AI voiceovers and AI voice platforms is that all voices are modelled on real Australians.
“Our clients can book human talent for a session if the AI read is not quite right or once their client has selected a voice talent option from a pitch. This has been a ‘lightbulb’ moment for many of them.”
Udy shared that he hopes ethical AI voiceovers will help the industry understand the importance of embracing technology, despite fears of the unknown.
“The thing we are most passionate about is ensuring that our talented voiceover artists are protected, treated fairly and paid for their work.
“AI is a disruptive force within our industry—and there are still many unknowns—but it is possible to work more cost-effectively and behave ethically.”
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Top image: Abe Udy