AI Voice Controversy: ScotRail’s “Iona” Accused of Mimicking Real Announcer

A voiceover artist is demanding ScotRail remove its new AI-generated announcement system, alleging it’s a clone of her voice. Gayanne Potter claims recordings she made were unknowingly used to train “Iona,” the artificial Scottish voice now used on trains.

ScotRail recently introduced Iona, a synthetic voice intended to replace pre-recorded human announcements. Potter asserts that ReadSpeaker, the Swedish tech firm behind Iona, trained the AI using her voice from a 2021 project initially meant for accessibility and e-learning software.

ReadSpeaker maintains they’ve addressed Potter’s concerns. ScotRail states the dispute is between Potter and ReadSpeaker and has no plans to discontinue using Iona.

Listen to the Comparison:

Potter discovered Iona after a friend sent her a link to ReadSpeaker’s website, horrified to find a text-to-speech program marketed with an image of a red-haired woman in a Scottish glen.

“It is my voice – I’m absolutely certain it’s my voice,” she stated, expressing her dismay at the quality of the AI.

When she learned Iona was being used on ScotRail, Potter was devastated. She has been in dispute with ReadSpeaker for two years regarding the usage of her voice.

“After the years that I’ve gone through to try to have my data removed – it’s still being used,” she said. “I also have to look on social media and see people mocking it, berating it… They don’t realise it’s actually a real person who’s been put through a dreadful voice app.”

Potter emphasized the challenges faced by creatives, stating, “It’s hard enough for people in the creative industry to sustain careers, but to be competing with a robotic version of yourself just adds insult to injury.”

ReadSpeaker describes Iona as an “AI voice generator” based on “human voice talent,” utilizing a text-to-speech model. The company claims its AI learns from voice recordings to emulate accents and languages.

Jennifer Cass, a partner at law firm Dentons, highlighted the legal gaps regarding AI usage, noting that while copyright protects literary and artistic works, it doesn’t currently extend to “likeness or image” in the UK.

Liam Budd from Equity, a trade union for creative workers, called it “one example of many performers who have their image or voice used to generate digital replicas without their full or informed consent.”

Potter argues that historical contracts are inadequate in the face of rapidly advancing AI and believes her work should be protected by GDPR, requiring her consent for ReadSpeaker to sell a commercial program using her voice.

She has contacted the Information Commissioner’s Office, but they stated the case falls outside their jurisdiction. Potter is now seeking legal action, requesting ScotRail to remove the AI announcements.

“If ScotRail want to do the right thing, I’m happy to do their voice announcements,” Potter offered. “At least I know how to say Milngavie.”

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• ‘Give it time’ – ScotRail defends AI announcer Iona

Keywords: ScotRail, AI voice, Gayanne Potter, ReadSpeaker, Iona, voiceover artist, AI copyright, artificial intelligence, train announcements, Scottish voice.