(In Europe)Voice Actors Push Back Against AI Threat to Dubbing Jobs

Voice actors across Europe are pushing back against the rise of AI in the dubbing industry. Boris Rehlinger, the well-known French voice of stars like Ben Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix, is one of many who fear that AI-generated voices could eventually replace human talent. Dubbing is a complex process that involves actors, translators, dialogue editors, and sound engineers. With global streaming platforms like Netflix fueling demand for dubbed content, the market is expected to grow to $7.6 billion by 2033.

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While this growth creates more opportunities, it also opens the door for cheaper, AI-driven alternatives. Streaming services and studios are experimenting with AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Netflix has used generative AI for visual effects and tested syncing AI-enhanced dialogue with actors' lip movements. Although human voice actors still provide the voices in these tests, the trend raises concerns.

Industry groups such as the VDS in Germany are calling for EU legislation to protect performers' rights. They want AI companies to get consent before using artists' voices for training and to label AI-generated content clearly. A VDS petition has gathered over 75,000 signatures. Hollywood and global voice actor groups are also pushing for ethical use of AI, fair contracts, and stronger intellectual property protections to prevent voice theft.

Some studios are cautiously exploring ways to blend AI and human dubbing. In Germany, Neue Tonfilm Muenchen's managing director Eberhard Weckerle hopes AI will complement, not replace, voice actors. But he fears that relying too heavily on AI for cost-saving could lead to poor-quality work. A recent example was Viaplay's Polish crime series "Murderesses", where the AI-generated German dub received heavy criticism for its dull and unnatural dialogue. The backlash led the platform to reconsider how it uses dubbing technology.

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Despite such criticism, AI companies continue to innovate. Audio Innovation Lab used AI to dub a Chinese film into German for the Cannes Film Festival. Their technology tweaks the original voice to fit the target language while aiming to keep emotional depth. CEO Stefan Sporn believes AI will reshape dubbing but not eliminate human involvement, especially for capturing emotion and nuance. Similarly, Flawless AI claims to work ethically with voice actors, syncing lip movements for multilingual realism.

However, not all viewers are concerned. A survey by research firm GWI found that nearly half of audiences in major European markets would not care if their favourite content was dubbed using AI. Around a quarter said they’d enjoy it less, but only 3% said they would enjoy it more. Still, for voice actors, the fear remains that without proper rules, AI could undercut their work and artistic identity. The fight continues to ensure AI enhances rather than erases the human voice in global storytelling.