This post was originally published on this site.
The use of artificial intelligence in art remains an incredibly slippery slope. Oftentimes, people try to sell it as a tool, a means to clean up imperfections. However, a lot of times AI can strip the humanity of a creation. Additionally, it can also be trained to such a degree that they hardly need the person itself anymore. The big fear is that one day, these companies won’t need creative people anymore. They’ll go completely through AI generation. It’s an incredibly depressing possibility that grows increasingly real everyday. Actors like Hank Azaria already see its potential and it leaves him worried that he’ll be out of a job soon.
@media screen and (min-width:0) and (min-height:0px) {
#sv-video-container {
min-height:200px
}
}
@media screen and (min-width:515px) and (min-height:0px) {
#sv-video-container {
min-height:305px
}
}
@media screen and (min-width:581px) and (min-height:0px) {
#sv-video-container {
min-height:338px
}
}
Videos by Wide Open Country
Recently, Hank wrote an op-ed for the New York Times. There, he emphasizes the humanity behind your favorite TV characters. For context, he’s one of the most prominent voice actors working today. On The Simpsons alone, you’ve heard him as Moe, Chief Wiggum, Apu, Duffman, Snake, Comic Book Guy and Professor Frink. However, Azaria worries that eventually, he’ll be rendered useless if companies desire AI technology over his own work.
Hank Azaria Fears That AI Will Take Jobs Away From Voice Actors
“I imagine that soon enough, artificial intelligence will be able to recreate the sounds of the more than 100 voices I created for characters on The Simpsons over almost four decades,” Azaria expresses. “It makes me sad to think about it. Not to mention, it seems just plain wrong to steal my likeness or sound — or anyone else’s.”
Ultimately, it’s a matter of creative agency and expression. Given the amount of work he’s done on the Simpsons, the show has an abundance of material to use and train to enhance the AI. Consequently, they could shuttle Hank away when they don’t need him anymore. “In my case, AI could have access to 36 years of Moe, the permanently disgruntled bartender,” Azaria adds. “He’s appeared in just about every episode of The Simpsons. He’s been terrified, in love, hit in the head and, most often, in a state of bitter hatred. I’ve laughed as Moe in dozens of ways by now. I’ve probably sighed as Moe 100 times. In terms of training AI, that’s a lot to work with.”
It’s a very terrifying prospect that has the potential to scrape away the humanity in creativity. All we could truthfully hope is that people are smart enough to notice the difference.