Why is it in the news?
- Rising concerns surround AI voice cloning due to a surge in related scams, raising fears about the misuse of this technology.
| · Market US reports a significant growth in the AI voice cloning market, estimating its value at $1.2 billion in 2022, and projecting a substantial increase to nearly $5 billion by 2032, reflecting a notable CAGR of 15-40%. |
Voice Cloning
About
- Scammers use online programs like Murf, Resemble, and Speechify by uploading audio clips to replicate voices accurately.
- Recently, AI-generated speeches, like that of imprisoned ex-PM Imran Khan, were used for political purposes.
Diverse Applications
- Legacy Preservation: AI voice cloning keeps the voices of loved ones alive for future generations. Apple’s iOS 17 introduced voice cloning to aid those at risk of losing their voice to degenerative diseases.
- Personalized Experiences: Custom virtual assistants, interactive storytelling, and immersive digital interactions.
- Gaming: Meta’s SeamlessM4T translates nearly 100 languages in real-time, enhancing gaming experiences.
- Accessibility: Provides a voice for those losing it due to illness or disability.
- Song Creations: YouTube’s Dream Track allows the creation of song clips featuring AI vocals with permission from pop stars.
- Creative Applications: Enhancing storytelling, audio games, and immersive experiences.
Emerging Issues
- Scams and Threats: Incidents like a fake kidnapping in Arizona, U.S., using an AI cloned voice for ransom.
- Reporting Challenges: Many AI voice cloning cases go unreported, leading to underestimation of the issue.
- Disinformation: AI voice clones contribute to the spread of fake news, exemplified by Emma Watson’s alleged reading of Mein Kampf.
- Privacy and Consent Concerns: Unauthorized recording and use of voices without consent raise ethical and privacy concerns.
- Ethical Considerations: Potential exploitation, manipulation, and emotional harm through impersonation and misuse.
- Social Implications: Impact on identity, trust, and communication dynamics in the digital age.
- Hate Speech: Misuse of AI voice cloning tools for generating celebrity hate speech. For instance, conservative political pundit Ben Shapiro’s alleged racist comments against Democrat politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.
Measures Taken
- Regulatory Frameworks: Emphasizes the importance of robust legal and ethical guidelines. For instance, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission considers adopting measures to deter deceptive voice cloning.
- Technological Safeguards: Watermarking and authentication mechanisms to identify and verify cloned voices.
- Public Awareness: Vital to educate the public about voice cloning technology and potential risks.
- Voice Cloning Challenge: Launched by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to gather ideas for detecting, evaluating, and monitoring cloned devices.
- Responsible Development: Promoting ethical and transparent use of voice cloning for positive societal impact.
| India: A Prime Target for AI Voice Cloning Scams
A report titled ‘The Artificial Imposter’ revealed alarming statistics about AI voice clone scams in India: · Published in May last year, the report highlighted that 47% of surveyed Indians either experienced or knew someone who fell victim to AI-generated voice scams. · This percentage is nearly twice the global average of 25%, making India the top target for AI voice scams. A specific incident in December involved a Lucknow resident falling victim to a cyberattack that used AI to mimic the voice of the victim’s relative. The attacker requested a substantial amount to be transferred through UPI.
McAfee reported that Indians exhibit particular vulnerability to such scams: 66% of Indian participants admitted they would respond to a voice call or a phone call that seemed to be from a friend or family member urgently in need of money.
The report also highlighted that 86% of Indians were prone to sharing their voice data online or via voice notes at least once a week. This frequent sharing of voice data has made Indians more susceptible to AI voice clone scams, as attackers exploit this readily available information.
|
Get Updates on New Notification about APPSC, TSPSC and UPSC
Get Current Affairs Updates Directly into your Inbox