Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeking protection for her voice amid growing concerns over the unauthorized use of celebrity voices by artificial intelligence technologies. The filings include two sound recordings, each beginning with Swift saying, “Hey, it’s Taylor,” followed by an announcement of her latest album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, which was released earlier this year in October. Additionally, a photograph of Swift on stage was submitted in a separate document as part of the trademark application.

The move mirrors a similar effort by actor Matthew McConaughey, who has also sought to trademark distinctive phrases and sounds from his performances as a safeguard against AI-generated voice cloning. McConaughey’s filings feature audio clips of his well-known catchphrases, including “Alright, alright, alright!” from the 1993 film *Dazed and Confused*, and “Just keep livin’, right?”

Advancements in AI technology have drastically shortened the time required to replicate a person’s voice using only brief audio samples, raising alarm among artists and performers about the potential for their voices and likenesses to be exploited without authorization. While some states in the US have enacted legislation to curb malicious or commercial misuse of personal images and voices, protections remain limited, often applying only to certain types of exploitation.

The Tennessee legislature took a notable stance in 2024 by enacting the ELVIS Act, which provides broader rights related to the use of the iconic singer’s image and voice. However, such legislative measures are rare, and most performers have yet to pursue legal avenues to defend their rights against AI-driven imitation.

One high-profile example includes actress Scarlett Johansson, who in 2023 filed a lawsuit against the app Lisa AI for creating an unauthorized AI avatar of her likeness used in advertising, underscoring the growing legal complexities surrounding AI-generated content.

Taylor Swift’s trademark filings highlight an emerging trend among celebrities seeking to assert greater control over their personal brands as AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly. Representatives for Swift did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the trademark applications or the broader implications of AI voice cloning.