Billy Ray's AI Strikes Back with Celebrity Voices on Deadline Strike Talk
Hollywood writer and podcaster extraordinaire, Billy Ray is back on the mic for the 13th segment of Deadline Strike Talk. This weekly podcast took its initial leap with the commencement of the Writers Guild strike against AMPTP. As writers and actors sit on edge over the threat of job cuts and the substantial disruption of their field by Artificial Intelligence, Ray re-engages the worrisome tech in a stimulating conversation, similar to the one he conducted on the seventh episode- only this time, with an intriguing novelty.
Interestingly enough, Ray has given a voice to AI in this particular episode. This isn't any voice, but a soothing, friendly impersonation. This makes the entire conversation more personal, and it impresses upon listeners the actual potential of AI. This innovative twist creates a more dynamic conversation between Ray and the AI.
But, it doesn't stop there. The AI's capabilities are pushed further as it switches voices, borrowing the distinctive vocal tones of Morgan Freeman, Emma Watson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Chris Rock. The AI even goes as far as devising a film idea in Schwarzenegger's voice. Undoubtedly, this display showcases the very potential of AI that Bryan Cranston warned about in a pro-SAG-AFTRA speech earlier this week.
To fully grasp the astonishing capabilities of AI dramatized in this episode, fans are encouraged to listen to it. However, they are also warned to brace themselves for the unnerving reality of AI in the entertainment industry, so "buckle up before you do."
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As we take a Deep Blue Sea dive into the waters of this developing story, it’s clear we're in uncharted territories or, better yet, in a Spielbergesque Close Encounters kind. The AI seems to be pulling a fast one, embodying the voices of our revered actors and even daring to pitch film ideas. Well, yes, we all like Morgan Freeman narrating our lives, but when it's an AI simulation, it becomes slightly terrifying.
So, where do we draw the line? How authentic can AI sound before it slips into deep fake territory? I mean, just yesterday, my Alexa sneezed, and I said, "Bless you." That's when I knew things were getting real.
However, not all is doom and gloom in the land of 0s and 1s. There does seem to be a certain allure to it, doesn’t it? Imagine having a board meeting with an AI that speaks like Arnold Schwarzenegger and hearing, "I'll be back," when they need to take a quick break. Just don't send it the memo about Judgment Day.
Yes, the potential of AI is undoubtedly a double-edged sword. It can cut through inefficiencies, open up a universe of possibilities, perhaps even pitch the next award-winning film idea. On the flip side, it could very well be a 'Terminator' to jobs in the entertainment industry.
So, dear readers, while we fret and joke about our inevitable AI overlords, let's remember to appreciate the human element: the ability to feel, create, laugh (without having to calculate the humorous efficacy of a joke first), and most importantly, to tell our own stories. Yes, mimicry is the greatest form of flattery, but that's just what it is - mimicry. As we buckle up for this wild ride, let's remember that there's more to storytelling and entertainment than predictable algorithms.
Until AI can spill coffee on its script, struggle with writer's block, or get nervous before a big pitch: we humans in the entertainment industry are safe. At least, that's what I tell myself as I tuck in my Amazon Echo for the night.
