Morgan Freeman Isn’t Having It — Sues Over AI Voice Copies

by

Morgan Freeman, famous for his soothing and commanding voice, is taking legal steps to prevent others from using artificial intelligence to replicate it without his consent. The 88-year-old actor is pursuing action against those who are illegally copying his voice using AI technology.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Freeman stated that his legal team is currently working on multiple cases.

Morgan Freeman explains his distinctive voice wasn’t a gift, but something he developed through practice and effort. He credits his college speech instructor, Robert Whitman, at Los Angeles City College, with teaching him how to speak with clarity and resonance.

Morgan Freeman remembers being advised to speak clearly, emphasize the ends of words, and practice exercises to deepen his voice. He explained that many people speak at a higher pitch than necessary simply because they aren’t relaxed. This advice came from Robert Whitman, a teacher Freeman will always remember.

The unique voices actors work so hard to develop are now vulnerable to being copied using artificial intelligence. New technology can recreate not only voices, but also the likenesses of well-known performers. Some, like James Earl Jones, have even given permission to use AI to continue portraying iconic characters like Darth Vader, even after their passing.

However, Morgan Freeman strongly objects to the use of AI to replicate his voice. He admitted to being upset, explaining, “I’m an actor, and like any other actor, I don’t want anyone falsely imitating me. I earn a living doing this, so using my voice without my permission is essentially stealing from me.”

When asked about instances of this occurring, Freeman responded quickly. “My lawyers have been extremely busy dealing with many cases,” he explained, adding that there have been “quite a few.”

Morgan Freeman recently discussed the increasing use of digitally created performers in Hollywood, mentioning Tilly Norwood, a computer-generated actor unveiled earlier this year. He believes audiences won’t embrace these virtual performers because they lack the authenticity of human actors. “It’s not going to work out very well in the movies or on television,” Freeman stated, adding that the actors’ union will likely push back to protect jobs for real people.

Despite Morgan Freeman’s concerns, many actors are now working with artificial intelligence. Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine, for example, have partnered with ElevenLabs to digitally recreate their voices.

Matthew McConaughey has been a supporter of the company since it began in 2022, and is now investing in it. He’s using their technology to create a Spanish version of his newsletter, Lyrics of Livin’, using an AI-generated version of his own voice.

A company recently used an AI version of Michael Caine’s voice in a video. In the clip, the AI ‘said’ that while new technologies are often viewed with skepticism, human creativity and passion always shine through. The message was that technology is simply a tool, and ultimately it’s about human expression.

Artificial intelligence is changing the entertainment industry, and actors are split on how they feel about it. While some embrace it as a new opportunity, others worry it could harm creativity and even their personal brand. Morgan Freeman, for example, believes his voice is uniquely his and refuses to allow AI to replicate it.

Read More

2025-11-13 10:45