So you know how we're all chatting online these days, right? Whether it's texting or those endless Zoom calls, our voices are everywhere in the digital world. And now, with voice cloning tech getting better and better, we're at this big inflection point. Do we embrace it or worry about our privacy? Alexa is listening. Siri is listening. the convenience is incredible, but we're losing privacy.  Same goes for voice cloning. However, in contrast to the convenience (when it works) of Alexa/Siri, most of us don't see much upside to voice cloning yet. It just creeps us out so we put on the brakes and say -NO THANKS!  But I think that's a bit short sighted. Yeah, I have opinions about this. 

Embracing Digital Voices: A Proactive Approach

Let's face it: our voices are already floating around out there. All these companies are scooping up our data from all over, building this digital picture of us -  that includes how we sound. Instead of just sitting back and letting it happen, why don't we take charge and shape how our own digital voice is being used? If we make our own voice clones, we can call the shots on how our voice gets used and saved.

To get ahead of this, we should look for companies that actually let us control our data storage. A lot of them claim your data is safe, but those assurances seem flimsy at best. Every other day there's a new data breach.  A real solution, slowly coming into the picture, is the idea of cold storage, where your data is not on line, but stored on a computer not connected to the interent.  This is a less practical approach if you intend to use your clone, but for those just wanting to lock it down with a digital water mark, it's an option to cryogenically store your voice clone so to speak.  Resurrect it when you think it's safe, or when the services are of value to your life.  Another thing to consider is to seek out companies that focus on serving families, rather than businesses.  These family oriented companies are more likely to have a personal touch. It's like comparing buying a shirt on Amazon, vs going to a store and having a person help you pick out the one just right for you.   We all love the convenience of Amazon, but that frictionless shopping comes at the cost of our privacy.

The Power of Preserved Voices

Once we embrace the idea of cloning, the real fun can happen.  Consider this: voice cloning tech is the ulimate tool for keeping family stories alive. Imagine having your grandparents' tales in their actual voices, like the most accurate audio time capsule for your kids and grandkids. It's not just recordings either; we're talking digital versions of people that can chat and share memories even after they're gone. Traditional oral storytelling often suffers from the 'telephone game' effect, where stories change as they're passed down. With voice cloning, we can maintain the authenticity of original narratives, preserving not just the words but the emotion and personality behind them.

The technology has significant practical applications beyond emotional considerations. For individuals at risk of losing their voice due to medical conditions or aging, this innovation offers a means to preserve a crucial aspect of their identity. Additionally, it has potential utility in augmentative and alternative communication devices.

Navigating the Ethical Landscape

Ethical considerations are crucial as we explore this technology. Deepfakes and voice manipulation pose risks, but not all users face the same exposure.

Everyday users face lower risks than public figures. Tom Cruise has a completely different set of considerations than Grandpa Henry. That's why we should approach the ethics from slightly different angles. For public figures, it can truly affect their livelihood.  For family members it might just be about how the use might misrepresent them after they're gone.  Realistically though, for family members, that already happens. We misemember and misquote all the time. Our memory is one of the most malleable aspects of our personality.  I'm convinced I misquote my father almost on the daily. He gets wiser and wiser!

Democratizing Content Creation

Voice cloning opens up exciting possibilities for creative expression and education. Imagine a student bringing their family tree to life, with each ancestor sharing their story in their own voice. This technology could transform how we create and consume content, adding a layer of authenticity to historical narratives and personal stories.

Beyond personal use, voice cloning has the potential to bridge language barriers. The ability to communicate in multiple languages using your own voice could revolutionize international communication, making global interactions more personal and effective.

The Future of Personal and Professional Interactions

As voice cloning technology evolves, we're likely to see it reshape both personal and professional areas. The concept of voice agents attending meetings on our behalf is no longer science fiction. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan wants to send his voice agent to meetings he no longer wants to attend. Replacing that "wasted' time with lounging on the beach.  However, this raises questions about efficiency and authenticity in communication.

While the idea of sending a digital voice clone to a meeting might seem appealing,  will it truly save time? What if we need to fact-check and review every interaction?  On the other hand using these voice agents might actually make people chattier in some situations. Like, they might feel more comfortable pitching ideas or sharing their thoughts with a voice agent, because they know it's not a real person judging them on the other end. If you want to explore the voice agent idea, check out Vapi, where you can make one.  I'm doing it soon and will report on my results in a future article.  Journalist Evan Ratliff just release an amazing podcast on this subject called Shell Game.  I highly recommend episode 6 which explores implications of using voice agents to talk with your family members when you're not avaialbe. Spoiler alert, your acceptance of this experience seems to correlated to what generation you're in!  

A Compassionate Approach to Technological Adoption

We're at an exciting but uncertain time with voice technology. It's totally normal to feel uneasy about voice cloning - lots of people do! New tech can be scary sometimes.

Those of us working on this stuff need to listen to those worries. We shouldn't ignore the tricky parts or pretend everything's perfect.  By having honest conversations, setting up some ground rules, and making sure users stay in control, we can figure this out together. If we do it right, we could unlock amazing ways to save our voices, tell our stories, and connect with each other across time, generations and yes, digital universes.

 

Find out more at Family Voices AI and see how you can preserve your family stories, voices and wisdom, forever.