What Happens to Our Voices After We're Gone?

In the world of AI, voices of the departed can now be brought back to life. This technology allows us to hear famous figures speak again, even after they have passed away. For instance, Franz Kafka, a well-known writer, once asked his friend to destroy all his unpublished works. But his friend didn't follow through, which is why we still have Kafka's famous works today. Now, a company called ElevenLabs has created a marketplace where people can license AI versions of famous voices. Some of these voices belong to living celebrities, like actors Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine. McConaughey plans to use his AI voice to translate his newsletter into Spanish, showing how this technology can help share content with more people around the world. Caine, on the other hand, sees this as a way to amplify human storytellers rather than replace them. But what about the voices of those who have passed away? ElevenLabs has also made deals with the estates of historical figures like Judy Garland, James Dean, Maya Angelou, and Alan Turing. This means that their voices can now be used in new ways, even though they can't give their consent. While this might seem strange, it's important to think about the ethical implications. After all, once a voice becomes an asset, the people in charge of the estate have to manage it like a product. So, what can we learn from this? If you're a famous person and you want to have control over what happens to your voice after you're gone, it's important to make your wishes clear now. You might want to allow your voice to be used in documentaries but not in ads or political content. And who will have the final say? Will it be a family member, a trusted friend, or an independent person? It's something to think about, especially in a world where technology is always changing.