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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.

Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad, presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

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Analysis: Look who's talking - the rise of ‘voice cloning’

Look who's talking - the rise of ‘voice cloning’

BBC Radio 4 - Analysis, Look who's talking - the rise of ‘voice cloning’

As voice cloning technology advances how might it affect society and politics?

As voice cloning technology gets more sophisticated, how might it affect society and politics?

When you listen to a radio programme, watch an animated film, or even receive a phone call, it’s unlikely you’ll question whether the words you’re hearing are coming from the mouth of a human being. But all that could be about to change thanks to the rise of ‘voice cloning’. 

Elaine Moore is a tech columnist at the Financial Times and she’s interested in the ramifications of this new technology. Thanks to artificial intelligence, cloning a human voice can be achieved with just a few minutes of recorded audio. As the technology becomes more sophisticated and its use more widespread, how will this affect our society, our politics and our personal interactions? And is it time we were able to control what happens to our own voice both now and when we die?

With contributions from: 
Carlton Daniel, lawyer at Squire Patton Boggs.
Tom Lee, co-founder of LOVO.
David Leslie, Ethics Theme Lead at the Alan Turing Institute.
Rupal Patel, founder & CEO of VocaliD. 
Tim McSmythurs, AI Researcher and creator of Speaking AI.
James Vlahos, co-founder of HereAfter AI. 

Producer: Craig Templeton Smith
Editor: Jasper Corbett

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Look who's talking - the rise of ‘voice cloning’

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