Mon Sep 23 15:17:00 UTC 2024: ## YouTuber’s Voice Stolen and Used in AI-Generated Tutorials

**A popular YouTuber, Jeff Geerling, has become the latest victim of unauthorized voice cloning, with his voice being used to narrate tutorial videos without his permission.** Geerling, known for his Raspberry Pi expertise, discovered the unauthorized use of his voice in a series of tutorial videos posted by the electronics company Elecrow.

While Geerling has previously reviewed Elecrow products, he confirms he was never involved in the creation of these tutorials. The voice used in the videos is almost identical to his, leading him to believe that Elecrow likely utilized an AI voice creation tool trained on his existing content.

Geerling faces a legal dilemma as there’s currently no established precedent for unauthorized voice cloning, despite President Biden’s call for a ban. He draws parallels to the 1980s case of Bette Midler vs. Ford Motor Company, where a singer impersonating Midler was used in commercials. Geerling is also unsure if YouTube’s terms of service address non-consensual voice cloning.

The controversy surrounding Geerling’s case mirrors previous incidents involving OpenAI and Scarlett Johansson, and Ned Luke, the voice actor for Michael De Santa in GTA V. Both cases involved AI-generated voices that were deemed unauthorized.

Following Geerling’s public accusations, Elecrow has removed all videos featuring the cloned voice. This incident highlights the growing concern over the potential misuse of AI voice cloning technology, particularly concerning its impact on intellectual property and privacy.

Read More