The rise of artificial intelligence poses a significant threat to the dubbing industry, prompting the grassroots movement “Don’t Touch My VF” to gather nearly 200,000 signatures for legislative protection. Controversies have arisen, such as the unauthorized use of Alain Dorval’s and Jacques Frantz’s voices in AI-generated content, leading to family outrage. Legal experts highlight the challenges of protecting deceased voices, while discussions continue on the ethical implications of AI in the industry.
The Threat of AI in the Dubbing Industry
The emergence of artificial intelligence has cast a shadow over the dubbing industry, prompting a call to action for legislative measures to safeguard this cherished art form. The grassroots movement “Don’t Touch My VF,” which unites numerous artists and technicians from the dubbing realm, has successfully amassed close to 200,000 signatures on its online petition.
This petition aims to draw the attention of public officials to the urgent need for regulations concerning AI’s impact on all professions tied to dubbing. The rapid and alarming advancements in AI technology have raised concerns among many artists, who fear their voices could be exploited without oversight.
Recent Controversies Involving AI-Generated Voices
A recent incident involving Alain Dorval, the renowned French voice of Sylvester Stallone, ignited significant backlash. Following the actor’s passing in 2024, AI technology was used to recreate his voice for a trailer of the film Armor, with his family’s consent. However, his daughter, Aurore Bergé, expressed her disapproval, stating that the release of such material should never have occurred as it was merely a test.
Now, another troubling episode has emerged featuring Jacques Frantz, the beloved French voice of Robert De Niro. On the YouTube channel “L’heure du crime,” viewers can hear AI-generated readings of novels by Agatha Christie and Georges Simenon in Frantz’s voice, despite the fact that his family did not authorize this use.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Jacques Frantz’s daughter, Marjorie Frantz, voiced her outrage over the unauthorized use of her father’s voice. “According to our family, he never recorded these readings, and the rights holders did not consent to exploit his voice. These recordings are likely the product of generative artificial intelligence,” she stated.
Marjorie emphasized the emotional toll of hearing her late father’s voice used in such a manner, calling it “extremely violent” and disrespectful. “I want these videos removed, and those responsible to be held accountable,” she demanded, highlighting the impact on her father’s legacy and artistic integrity.
Legal expert Jonathan Elkaim, specializing in intellectual property, provided insights into the potential for legal action. He explained that voices of deceased individuals lack legal protection as personal attributes are lost upon death, which may explain why creators chose to replicate Jacques Frantz’s voice.
Elkaim noted, “As per the SREN law of February 2024, simply disclosing the use of AI to recreate a voice could satisfy legal requirements, but this is not the case for the YouTube channel in question. Heirs and rights holders can file complaints if they believe there has been a violation of the deceased’s memory.” He further articulated that using Frantz’s voice in a robotic manner to read texts could infringe upon the artist’s legacy, especially given his significant talent.
Currently, the YouTube channel remains operational, allowing audiences to listen to Jacques Frantz’s AI-generated readings. On March 7, Jonathan Elkaim appeared on the show Voix Ouf to discuss the perils of AI, joined by actors Emmanuel Curtil and Brigitte Lecordier, who are actively fighting against the excesses of this technology.