The Human Voice in an AI World: Reflections

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and feeling about what it means to be a voice over artist in a time when AI-generated voices are not only emerging but rapidly replacing human voices in many industries. It's a strange, unsettling, and emotional experience, watching something you've poured your heart, time, and soul into being quietly edged out by technology that, while impressive, lacks the very thing that makes voice acting so powerful: humanity.

Let me say this upfront, I’m not anti-AI. I truly believe artificial intelligence has a place in the world and can benefit us in countless ways. It’s already doing so. From medical advancements to accessibility tools to data analysis and even creative brainstorming, AI has shown how transformative it can be. It’s not the technology itself that I’m against, it’s how it's being used in certain areas, and more specifically, how it’s replacing human voices in ways that feel, quite frankly, devastating.

As a voice over artist, I don’t just read words off a script. I tell stories. I embody emotion. I bring intention, nuance, vulnerability, and lived experience to every project I work on. Whether it’s a commercial, a documentary, an audiobook, or a character in a video game, what I offer isn’t just sound, it's connection. It’s humanity. And the idea that this can be fully replicated by a synthetic voice built from data is incredibly hard to sit with.

I know some will say AI voices are faster, cheaper, more convenient. And they are. But at what cost?

When brands, advertisers, and creators choose an AI voice over a real person, they’re not just saving money, they’re sacrificing depth. They’re choosing efficiency over authenticity. And ultimately, I believe that erodes something deeply important in how we communicate as a society. Creative professionals, actors, writers, designers, musicians, are not just service providers. We are cultural storytellers. We shape and reflect the human experience. Removing us from the equation doesn’t just affect our livelihoods, it chips away at the emotional richness of our world.

And so, here I am. Still working. Still auditioning. Still loving what I do, but also trying to figure out what the future holds. Do I try to work alongside AI? Do I find ways to integrate these tools into my own workflow without compromising what makes my work mine? Or do I draw a line in the sand and advocate fiercely for the irreplaceable value of human creativity?

Honestly, I don’t have all the answers yet. This is new terrain, and it's complicated. But I know this: I’m not ready to be replaced. I believe there’s still a place, and a need for real human voices. For the warmth in a pause, the tremble in a phrase, the joy behind a laugh that wasn’t programmed but genuinely felt.

If you’re a fellow creative, a brand manager, a writer, or even someone who just loves great storytelling, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How are you feeling about the rise of AI in the creative world? Do you think there’s a path where technology and humanity can co-exist without one replacing the other?

Let’s start a conversation. Drop your thoughts in the comments below.