MKBHD Exposes Company Using AI Copy of His Voice for Ads as "Scummy"
Tech influencer Marques ‘MKBHD’ Brownlee recently took to social media to call out a company for using an AI-generated copy of his voice in their advertisements, labeling the act as "scummy." With the increasing prevalence of generative AI technology in 2022, companies have been leveraging it to produce various forms of content, including videos and music.
One common application of AI-powered voice generators is mimicking the voices of influencers or celebrities for promotional purposes. This practice has raised ethical concerns, as seen when the late comedian Robin Williams' daughter criticized the use of AI to replicate her father's voice in a viral video after his passing.
On October 14, 2024, MKBHD publicly criticized a company on Instagram for utilizing an AI-generated version of his voice without consent. In his post, he expressed his disapproval, stating, “It’s happening. There are real companies who will just use an AI-created rip of my voice to promote their stuff.” He further condemned the company, referring to them as "scummy" and "shady" for resorting to such tactics to boost sales.
It's happening. There are real companies who will just use an AI-created rip of my voice to promote their stuff. And there's really no repercussions for it other than being known as this scummy shady company that is willing to stoop that low to sell some product pic.twitter.com/Y12XGKNqFO
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) October 14, 2024
While some social media platforms have yet to implement mechanisms for reporting AI-generated content, YouTube introduced new guidelines in July to address this issue. According to the platform's policy, individuals can request the removal of synthetic content that portrays a realistic altered version of their likeness created using AI technology.
This incident is not the first time MKBHD has encountered unauthorized use of his identity by companies employing AI technology. In a previous instance in February, Brownlee discovered an AI-powered chatbot falsely claiming to facilitate conversations with popular YouTubers, including himself, Cody Ko, and FaZe Rug.
Expressing his frustration, MKBHD denounced the chatbot, emphasizing that the company behind it had not sought permission to use his likeness. He warned his followers to steer clear of the deceptive AI product, highlighting the lack of ethical standards in its development and usage.
As the debate surrounding AI-generated content continues to evolve, incidents like these underscore the importance of ethical considerations and consent in the utilization of emerging technologies. Influencers and content creators are increasingly vigilant about protecting their identities and intellectual property rights in the digital landscape.
MKBHD's outspoken stance against the unauthorized use of his voice serves as a reminder of the ethical responsibilities that companies bear when leveraging AI technology for commercial purposes. The incident sheds light on the need for clearer regulations and guidelines to govern the ethical use of AI-generated content in advertising and media.
