Lesson Content

Consent across different scenarios.

Cloning your own voice for your own use: straightforward, self-consent. Cloning an employee's or contractor's voice for company use: requires their explicit, informed consent, ideally documented in writing, distinct from their general employment agreement unless that agreement specifically and clearly addresses voice cloning use. Cloning a professional voice actor's voice: governed by the specific terms of their engagement, which should explicitly address voice cloning and AI use if that's part of the intended use – do not assume a standard voice acting agreement automatically covers cloning rights unless explicitly stated.

Adequate vs. inadequate consent.

Adequate consent is informed (the person understands what voice cloning will be used for), specific (covers the actual intended use, not a vague general permission), and documented. Inadequate consent includes assumed consent based on a person's general employment or a vague, non-specific agreement that doesn't clearly address voice cloning and its actual use case.

Special considerations for deceased individuals.

Cloning a deceased individual's voice raises additional considerations – rights may belong to an estate or require specific legal authorization depending on jurisdiction, and there are also ethical considerations around using a deceased person's voice, particularly for any use beyond what the family or estate has clearly authorized. This is a genuinely complex area where legal counsel is appropriate for any commercial or public use.

Documenting consent.

Maintain written records of voice cloning consent – what was consented to, by whom, for what specific use, and any limitations on that consent. This documentation protects both the organization and the individual by creating a clear, specific record rather than relying on informal or assumed understanding.