AI technology is getting crazier! ElevenLabs, a technology company from the United States, has just developed an advanced voice cloning system based on artificial intelligence (AI) that can mimic human voices very realistically—including the speaking style, intonation, and even emotions of the person, even if they are no longer alive.
How does it work?
Users just need to upload a voice recording lasting about an hour. After that, the AI system will learn the rhythm and patterns of the voice. Then, by simply typing text, the imitated voice will 'speak' again!
Who is behind this technology?
This project is supported by Patricia and Manny Oliver, parents of the victims of the Parkland school shooting in the US. They use this technology to voice a campaign for gun safety awareness, inspired by their sense of loss and frustration.
Journalist James Vlahos has even used it to create a chatbot named Dadbot, which allows him to talk again with his deceased father.
Benefits vs Risks
This technology opens up extraordinary opportunities—including in the world of crypto, education, and interactive storytelling. But, like a double-edged sword, this technology can also be misused for deepfakes and voice scams.
Fortunately, the founder of ElevenLabs, Mati Staniszewski, emphasized that this feature can only be used with permission from the estate of the replicated voice.
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If you could talk to someone who has passed away through AI, who would you want to talk to?
