Natalie Monbiot’s Post

Let’s break down what #ElevenLabs has made involving the estates of these deceased #IconicVoices, so that they can “read” your favorite books, articles, etc. For those in #VFX, you should consider: if ElevenLabs has the estate agreeing to a voice model, you can bet your 🫏 that OpenAI is negotiating the LIKENESS for #Sora. It’s a killer use case, and insurance will be all over this like white on rice; as will #sagaftra and #iatse. Now you have a magic box that can digitally resurrect the dead, on command, to say and do whatever you want (within the limitations of the agreement, for now), which can then be modified into whatever medium (see below, for #Volkswagen example from 20+ years ago). OpenAI will demand a percentage premium of that, not some per-hour baseline charge, especially if they have exclusivity and work to make specific models as perfect of a simulacrum as they can. Throw in hours of motion capture from video, to gather performance nuances, gait, expressions, etc. The sky’s the limit when it comes to a simulation. What happens when we can perfect something that, 30 - 50 years from now, the human upon which one is based, conflates a sim with themselves? Did that give you chills? Imagine when present-day actors, who already bank their likeness, then license their likeness, so they can do commercials without breaking a contract or filming schedule (in another language, no less, in whatever hair, makeup, and costuming you can dream of for them). I can appreciate having who many consider one of the best actors of the last century read Shakespeare, as a selling point for their #GenAI #SaaS. However, ask any actor, or anyone who genuinely cares for the Arts, respond to the “reading” of #Shakespeare by such a thing. People think I’m a harsh critic? It’s going to be bereft of any feeling, because the AI isn’t going to understand what to emphasize and what not to. For example, the updated voices for #ChatGPT, from #OpenAI, also use Eleven Labs. I deeply question whether the AI understands what it’s reading with any more surface comprehension as it would give to a grocery list. Indeed, that’s part of the current challenge with these AI models, and much of the over-hyped, over-reaching discussions on #xrisk. The voice model could just be a stochastic model that sounds fine for everyday conversation, but it’s *not* built for #IambicPentameter, because who speaks in metered poetry all day long? For Olivier, they likely have trained it for this specific consideration. Having used ElevenLabs myself, I know it’s possible to remap a voice with another model, so Judy Garland could deliver Shakespeare like Olivier. Here’s a 12m masterclass clip of #IanMcKellan dissecting Shakespeare so brilliantly, I struggle to consider a better example: https://lnkd.in/gN9Sn56F AI is not reflecting on Shakespeare the way McKellan is, not presently anyway. Volkswagen’s digital resurrection of Gene Kelly: https://lnkd.in/gzWB4N3s

Hear Einstein Explain Relativity: AI Brings Icons to Life ElevenLabs’ new feature lets you hear text in famous voices. Imagine: Personal Benefits: • Learning from the greats: History lessons in the voices of historical figures • Deeper connections: Your favorite books narrated by their authors • Emotional support: Comforting messages in a loved one’s voice This technology offers a more immersive and personal way to consume content. How do you see yourself using this feature? #AIVoice #PersonalizedContent #FutureOfTech

🔊 The Dawn of AI Voice Cloning: What Lies Ahead? ⌛It was only a matter of time before AI voice cloning technology evolved to a point where we can now have famous, deceased celebrities "read" content for us. While fascinating, this raises profound questions about the ethical and societal implications of such advancements. 🤖 My concerns are not limited to voice cloning alone. As we witness rapid strides in synthetic biology and robotics, the convergence of these technologies could lead to even more complex and potentially unsettling scenarios. Imagine a world where we can recreate not just the voices but the very personas of individuals from the past (and the present), blending AI with lifelike robotics. 👥 Imagine meeting an unsanctioned 3D digital version of yourself that sounds, looks & feels like you. The implications for identity, privacy, and the very essence of what it means to be human are immense. 🎥 For those interested in exploring these themes further, the Black Mirror episode "Be Right Back" offers a thought-provoking glimpse into such a future (https://lnkd.in/gFNtkmxN 2023 film Robots offers a more humorous take (https://lnkd.in/g8TDg4gQ). The future is exciting, but it also demands our vigilance and responsibility. #AIVoiceCloning #SyntheticBiology #Robotics #Innovation #Ethics

In a world where voices are often silenced by fear, doubt, and past experiences, it's time to reclaim your power and express your true self. My book, Does My Voice Matter?, now available on the Uptime app, takes you on a journey of self-discovery and authenticity. 🔗 Check it out on the Uptime app: https://lnkd.in/gkuekshB

📚 Bookgital: Reading Without Negativity The Bookgital app allows you to instil a love for reading in your children effortlessly. We've taken care to ensure that your child not only reads but also comprehends the material – at the end of each passage, the app will ask them questions about the content. If the answers are incorrect, the app will suggest rereading the passage. And what about parents? You can monitor your child's progress in the app and precisely know how much time they've spent reading, how many passages they've absorbed, and how many questions they've answered correctly. #EdTech #EducationalTechnology #InteractiveLearning #Technology #Bookgital

In a world where voices are often silenced by fear, doubt, and past experiences, it's time to reclaim your power and express your true self. My book, Does My Voice Matter?, now available on the Uptime app, takes you on a journey of self-discovery and authenticity. 🔗 Check it out on the Uptime app: https://lnkd.in/ggEXZC_X

Our new word for the 31st day in March is “Imperturbable” (adjective) #grammar #vocabulary #learningeveryday Word of the Day app 🤓 Paramount Books

“So many 📚, so little ⏰” - Frank Zappa But with Mylibri Books, you have the opportunity to read your favorite stories anywhere, anytime! 🌟 Download the Mylibri Books app on the App Store & Google Play store today! 📱 #MylibriBooks #ReadingOnTheGo #EndlessStories

As Banned Books Week wraps up--does it ever really wrap up?--here's something the censors cannot easily stop: digital copies of banned books. The Palace Project makes a virtual library card available that lets you read digital copies of banned books. While reading on screens isn't my favorite way to consume texts, the technology does make books available to people in benighted areas of the country where local governments usurp the people's right to determine what they want to read and learn. Forgive the library pun, but you should check it out. https://lnkd.in/e_fa9ZWf

This book just got an upgrade! James Clear’s book needs no introduction as most of you must have read it or know someone who has. But here's something you might not know - James Clear just released an app called “Atoms.” that partners with the book. As someone who's not an avid reader but is working to get better at it, I can attest that this book was a terrific read. If you haven’t already read this book than you need to. And now, with the new app, it's even easier to apply its principles. Check it out and let me know what you think!