BBC supports decision to replace singer with AI-generated voice
The BBC plans to use AI-generated voice for an upcoming documentary instead of singer Sara Poyzer, known for her role in “Mamma Mia!”. Poyzer received an email stating that her voice is no longer required as the BBC approved AI technology. The decision was shared on social media, sparking discussions about technology replacing human talent in the media industry. The BBC’s choice to utilize AI-generated voice in lieu of singer Sara Poyzer for an upcoming documentary has stirred discussions about technology replacing human talent in the media sector. Poyzer was informed via email that her services were no longer needed due to the BBC’s endorsement of AI technology, leading to public discourse on the evolving role of technology in content creation.
The BBC says it will continue its plan to generate a voiceover using artificial intelligence in an upcoming documentary.
The U.K.-based broadcasting company had cast singer Sara Poyzer to do a voiceover for their documentary on an undisclosed celebrity. Poyzer is known for her stage role in the musical Mamma Mia! The BBC previously hired her in 2019 for two roles in its Doctor Who: The Legacy of Time podcast.
However, Poyzer said regarding this latest project, she received an email that said, “we have had the approval from BBC to use AI generated voice so we don’t need Sara anymore,” which she shared on her social media.
“Sobering,” Poyzer captioned the screenshot, while tagging the BBC and Equity, the U.K.’s labor union for performers.
The BBC addressed Poyzer in a statement, while also confirming it will continue to use artificial intelligence for the project.
“We are making a highly sensitive documentary which features a contributor who is nearing the end of life and is now unable to speak. We have been working closely with their family to explore how we might best represent the contributor’s voice at the end of the film when words they have written are read out,” the statement said. “In these very particular circumstances and with the family’s wishes in mind we have agreed to use AI for a brief section to recreate a voice which can now no longer be heard. This will be clearly labelled within the film.”
Equity has raised a red flag against the practice of using AI in the arts in a campaign since April 2022. It has yet to directly address AI in any agreement with studios. Notably, the U.K. does not have any restrictions against the technology in its laws.
In a seeming response to the situation, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists issued a statement on AI the same day of Poyzer’s post. The U.S.-based union successfully negotiated protections with Amazon/MGM, Apple, NBCUniversal, Disney/ABC/Fox, Netflix, Paramount/CBS, Sony, and Warner Bros. Their contract requires that its members consent to any appropriation of their likeness before AI can be implemented.
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“Our view is companies that are building A.I. models ought to only be doing that with consent, and where the creators are being fairly compensated for the work,” SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said. “If they don’t, I think we’ll be having another debate about whether that needs to be remedied through new laws or other methods.”
The BBC previously released documentaries on Dolly Parton, Carole King, and Lizzo, and has an upcoming documentary on Kurt Cobain. It did not publish a release date for this latest documentary.
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