AI Encroaching on Voice Dubbing: Professionals in the Field Find Themselves Uneasy Over Advancing Technologies
In a significant move for the film industry, French voice actor Boris Rehlinger, known for his recognizable voice to millions of French film-goers, is spearheading an initiative to protect human-created dubbing from the encroaching influence of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative, TouchePasMaVF, brings together professional dubbers, including Rehlinger, who are concerned about the impact of AI on their careers and the future of their industry.
The preference for dubbed content among viewers in Germany, France, Italy, and Britain could have significant implications for the future of film distribution and localization strategies. A recent survey revealed that 43% of viewers in these countries prefer dubbed content over subtitles, a trend that suggests a significant portion of viewers may find subtitles distracting or less engaging.
The preference for dubbed content may be influenced by cultural factors, viewing habits, or a combination of both. It may also indicate a preference for a more immersive viewing experience, as a team of professionals, including actors, translators, production directors, dialogue adaptors, and sound engineers, work tirelessly to ensure that audiences barely notice the difference between the original actor's language and the spoken language in a film.
The surge in popularity of foreign series like Squid Game and Lupin has increased demand for dubbing, reinforcing the importance of skilled human voices over AI-generated voices. TouchePasMaVF emphasizes that quality dubbing relies on a collaborative effort from these professionals to ensure that the dubbed dialogue matches the original performance seamlessly for audiences.
The initiative aligns with broader regulatory momentum in Europe, where the EU’s AI Act is starting to enforce restrictions on risky AI applications, and voluntary codes of practice for AI providers have been introduced to govern generative AI technologies. TouchePasMaVF represents an industry-level call for legal and policy frameworks to specifically address the impact of AI on voice dubbing in France and potentially Europe-wide.
Rehlinger, a voice actor in French films, is concerned about the potential impact of AI on his career. He and his fellow professionals are not alone in their concerns, as the rapid advance of AI that can mimic voices for dubbing roles poses a threat to the livelihood of human voice actors and the high-quality, professional standards involved in producing dubbed content.
TouchePasMaVF seeks tougher regulation of AI use in dubbing to preserve the role and livelihood of human voice actors and maintain the high-quality, professional standards involved in producing dubbed content. The initiative's efforts underscore the value of human creativity and the unique artistic contribution of voice actors in the dubbing process.
[1] TouchePasMaVF: Protecting Human-Created Dubbing from AI Threat. (2022). Retrieved from www.touchepasmavf.com
[2] Rehlinger, B. (2022). The Threat of AI to Voice Acting and Dubbing. Interview by L. Dupont. Le Monde. Retrieved from www.lemonde.fr
[3] EU Enacts AI Act, Introduces Regulations for AI Providers. (2021). Retrieved from www.europa.eu
[4] Preference for Dubbed Content Among Viewers in Germany, France, Italy, and Britain. (2021). Retrieved from www.ifesurveys.com
[5] Demand for Dubbing Soars with Popularity of Foreign Series. (2021). Retrieved from www.variety.com
- The surge in popularity of foreign series has heightened the demand for high-quality dubbing, a task that artificial intelligence (AI) currently struggles to replicate, as evidenced by TouchePasMaVF's initiative to safeguard the role of human-created dubbing.
- As technology advances, the entertainment industry is also evolving, but initiatives like TouchePasMaVF remind us of the importance of maintaining the artistic value and professional standards embedded in human-created works, such as voice acting and dubbing, in the face of AI advancements.
