In 2023, I attended a renowned convention with work in which the moderator welcomed the audience in a video that played in the halls and pathways, greeting attendees in (if I remember correctly about 10 different languages) before the main event. What caught my attention was that in each version of the video, it sounded like the moderator was a native speaker. My international co-workers confirmed this for their languages. I thought, “How can this be? Surely, he can’t know so many languages!” Yet, nothing in the videos gave away that the content was AI-generated, neither for me, nor for my colleagues.
During a break, I talked with the moderator and asked him in German (as I assumed, he was perfectly able to speak German) how he managed to speak so many languages so fluently. He did not understand a single word, so I switched to English, and he explained how it was done. He had recorded a two-minute video in English, and AI had handled the rest, translating and mimicking his voice in other languages. What was remarkable was that despite that I knew about this technology, I couldn’t detect that the videos were AI-generated.
My personal experience is just one example of the potential that AI voice and video technologies have. These tools can solve language gaps, making global communication more accessible than ever, and even enhance presentation skills. Nowadays, everyone with a computer and access to the internet can create a digital clone of themselves in just a few minutes with platforms like www.heygen.com (Jalli, 2024)
However, ethical concerns arise. Deepfake technology and the use of it, identity theft, and misinformation are risks that are on the rise (Helmus, 2022). As AI evolves, we must balance innovation with ethical responsibility to make sure that the technology is used for good.
In conclusion, while AI voice and video cloning technologies offer exciting possibilities, careful consideration of ethical implications and responsible usage is essential for long-term success.
References
HELMUS, T. C. (2022). Artificial Intelligence, Deepfakes, and Disinformation: A Primer. RAND Corporation. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep42027
Jalli, A. (2024, May 11). How to clone yourself with AI in seconds (HeyGen AI review). Medium. https://medium.com/@artturi-jalli/how-to-clone-yourself-with-ai-in-seconds-heygen-ai-review-23e57f90287a
Zheng, & Huang. (2023, October). The self 2.0: How AI-enhanced self-clones transform self-perception and improve presentation skills. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.15112
Great post! Your experience at the convention highlights how AI voice and video technology has advanced to the point where it can convincingly bridge language barriers. It’s amazing how a single video in English was transformed into multiple languages without anyone noticing it was AI-generated. This really shows the potential for global communication and how accessible such tools have become.
However, as you pointed out, the rise of deepfakes and the ethical concerns around misuse are real challenges. While the technology can improve inclusivity and communication, how do you think companies and individuals can best ensure ethical use? Should there be stricter regulations or certifications for AI-generated content to prevent misuse? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Interesting topic! I see a lot of potential in the use of AI for translations. During my holidays to other countries, many times I have experienced language barriers for which I needed to use Google Translate. However, this is a bit limited since it takes quite some time and only works with easy conversations such as in restaurants. It would be amazing to have a tool that could translate my voice into other languages to be able to have a full conversation with someone who is not able to speak English.
However, I also understand to potential risks. Currently, when a scammer tries to call you it is much clearer that the person is fake because they are usually not able to speak your native language. If it were easy to speak any language, this would make it much easier for anyone to use scamming call methods.
Very interesting! I wonder how this technology will develop in the coming years. I recognize the ethical concerns that come with the implementation of AI in deep fake technologies, but I can’t help but be excited about the possible implementations. For example, we’ve seen deep fake being used in cinema already (with varying succes), using the technology to de-age actors, but considering your example, maybe dubbing for foreign language films can be improved with deep fake as well.
This technology may serve a more social purpose as well. Maybe AI can be used to deep fake a person’s voice using old recordings, which can reinvigorate the lives of people with speech impairments.
These are just the first few things that come to mind when thinking of the possibilities provided by deep fakes, so in my opinion, the possibilities are endless, but we must remember to treat this technology with respect, to ensure it is not used with malicious intend, as the other comments already explored a bit.