Asheville voice actors confront the rise of AI-generated speech

The voice acting industry is facing a rapidly evolving landscape, as artificial intelligence tools become increasingly capable of mimicking human speech. This shift is creating both anxiety and a push for new protections for performers, raising questions about consent, compensation, and the very nature of creative work.

The Rise of Synthetic Voices

Dan Friedman, a longtime voice actor, audio engineer, and coach based in the Asheville area, describes a growing fear within the industry. “It’s created a lot of fear. It is definitely taking some early work away, nowadays nobody gets that type of work. Now they’ll just go ahead and do an AI voice for it,” he said. Friedman’s experience reflects a broader trend where entry-level jobs – traditionally a crucial stepping stone for aspiring voice actors – are now being filled by synthetic voices.

Did You Know? A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that listeners correctly identified synthetic audio only about 60 percent of the time, barely better than random guessing.

The Challenge of Detection

The ability of AI to convincingly replicate human voices presents a significant challenge. Research indicates that people struggle to reliably distinguish between real and synthetic speech. This raises concerns about potential misuse, deception, and a decline in trust in audio media.

Friedman emphasizes the unique qualities that human performers bring to their work. “AI is like the tin man. It has no heart. It may have all the knowledge in the world, but it has no heart,” he stated, highlighting the importance of emotional nuance in voice acting.

Industry Response and Advocacy

The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), formed in 2022, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges. NAVA’s 2025 State of Voiceover survey, with over 1,300 respondents, revealed that approximately 14% of voice actors reported their voices being used without permission. This finding underscores the real-world impact of synthetic audio technology.

Tim Friedlander, president and co-founder of NAVA, points to an imbalance between the creators whose work fuels AI systems and the companies profiting from them. “None of them exist without the foundation of the creative artists who were fed into that system in the first place,” Friedlander said. “You have a company that’s gonna be making billions and billions of dollars and investing billions of dollars, and then you have the artists who are not seeing a penny in relation to the value they brought to these systems.”

Expert Insight: The core of the dispute centres on fundamental questions of fairness and control. Artists are seeking clarity on whether they should be compensated when their voices are used to train AI systems, and whether there should be regulations to prevent AI-generated voices from directly competing with human performers in the marketplace.

Three Core Principles

NAVA is advocating for three key principles: consent, compensation, and control. The organization is developing contract language to protect against unauthorized use of recordings, lobbying lawmakers, and urging platforms to adopt safer policies. However, Friedlander acknowledges the difficulties of enforcement, particularly in tracing audio misuse, as there are currently no reliable tools to identify where an actor’s voice has been used without permission.

Looking Ahead

NAVA is actively engaged in legislative efforts, supporting bills like the No FAKES Act, the TRAIN Act, and California’s AB 412, all aimed at increasing transparency regarding AI training data. While these represent incremental wins, Friedlander believes continued advocacy and public pressure are crucial.

The implications extend beyond the professional realm. Stephanie O’Brien, a mass communication instructor at UNC Asheville, notes that students aspiring to careers in voice or audio must develop a strong understanding of AI’s role and learn to emphasize the uniquely human qualities of their work. She believes prioritizing AI literacy and transparency is essential for educators and students alike.

Friedlander suggests that, in the future, consumers may need to be more skeptical and demand proof of authenticity. “Ask for proof. Prove this is a human, that you did this. Prove this isn’t AI,” he said. “Hold people to those standards that what they are sharing is truth and not just AI generated.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAVA’s role in addressing the challenges posed by AI?

The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), formed in 2022, provides education, advocacy, and benefits for working performers. NAVA is pressing for transparency, consent, and compensation when AI systems use artists’ work.

What are some of the difficulties in addressing unauthorized use of voice actors’ work?

Tracing audio misuse is challenging because there are currently no widely available, reliable tools to identify where an actor’s voice has been used without permission. Enforcement of contracts can also be difficult and expensive.

What legislative efforts are underway to address concerns about AI and voice actors?

NAVA supports bills such as the No FAKES Act, the TRAIN Act, and California’s AB 412, which aim to increase transparency for AI training data.

As AI technology continues to advance, how will the voice acting industry adapt to maintain the value of human performance?

Asheville voice actors confront the rise of AI-generated speech – The Blue Banner