Netflix’s true-crime docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito, has ignited controversy due to its use of an AI-generated voice to narrate the victim’s journal entries. While the filmmakers obtained permission from Petito’s family, critics argue that this practice raises significant ethical questions.
The three-part series explores the tragic murder of 22-year-old Gabby Petito by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in 2021. It combines interviews, personal videos, and social media content to depict the events leading up to her death.
At the beginning of the series, viewers encounter a disclaimer stating that the journal entries and text messages are voiced using voice recreation technology. This means the narration is not Petito’s actual voice but rather a synthetic version created by AI.
Despite the family’s approval, many viewers have expressed discomfort with the AI-generated voice, labeling it as eerie. Social media discussions have gained traction, with content creators analyzing the ethical implications of such technology.
This incident is not isolated. The documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain faced similar backlash for using AI to recreate the late chef’s voice, leading to accusations of deception.
As AI technology advances, filmmakers and media companies are increasingly challenged to navigate the moral landscape of using digital recreations of voices. While some, like Robert Downey Jr., have publicly opposed AI replicas, others have embraced it, as seen with ElevenLabs securing agreements with the estates of several deceased actors to use their voices for various applications.
As discussions surrounding AI-generated content continue, the film industry must confront how to responsibly use these tools in storytelling.
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