Don’t let AI steal our famous voices

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

Nearly 80 British actors, including Hugh Bonneville and Nicola Coughlan, have launched the Save Our Voices Now campaign calling on the UK government to legally protect individuals from unauthorized AI voice cloning. They warn that without such laws, performers risk exploitation, identity theft, and loss of control over their vocal identity as AI technology rapidly advances.

A group of British actors, including Hugh Bonneville, Nicola Coughlan, Matt Lucas, Luke Evans, and Siobhan McSweeney, are urging the government to introduce legal protections against the unauthorized use of their voices by artificial intelligence companies. The performers, nearly 80 in total, have backed the Save Our Voices Now campaign, which calls for legislation granting individuals clear ownership rights over their voices to prevent AI-generated cloning and misuse.

The campaign’s supporters have signed an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, demanding enforceable legal ownership of their vocal identities. They argue that without such protections, AI technology can exploit and replicate voices without consent, potentially causing professional and personal harm. Hugh Bonneville, known for roles in Paddington and Downton Abbey, emphasized the personal significance of his voice, stating that it is “unique” and “part of my identity.” Similarly, Siobhan McSweeney of Derry Girls expressed concern that current legislation and industry practices are lagging behind rapid AI developments, potentially undermining artist rights and ethics.

McSweeney acknowledged the potential for AI to serve as a beneficial tool if regulated properly, saying, “I believe there is a way to work alongside AI and to use it as a tool that benefits us rather than rendering us obsolete.” She added that audiences value the authentic connection human performers provide, which AI cannot replicate.

The campaign’s founder, actor and voice artist Peter Caulfield, warned that AI systems can clone an individual’s voice within seconds without their knowledge, likening the issue to a scenario from the dystopian television series Black Mirror. Caulfield accused the government of allowing AI companies to “steal and profit from artists’ voices without their consent” and highlighted risks related to identity theft and criminal misuse.

As part of their efforts, the campaign has launched an online petition urging formal statutory recognition of voice ownership for all citizens. Campaigners point to Denmark as a model, where new laws grant people legal control over AI-generated imitations of their face, body, and voice, enabling them to demand removal of unauthorized content and seek compensation for misuse.

The Save Our Voices Now campaign seeks to prompt the UK government to act swiftly to establish similar legal safeguards, addressing what performers describe as an urgent, existential challenge posed by advancing AI voice cloning technology.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.