Andy Warhol ‘Narrates’ Netflix Series Through AI Recreation Of His Voice
By Alexa Heah, 25 Feb 2022
In July last year, a documentary on Anthony Bourdain stirred up controversy on social media for its use of artificial intelligence to recreate the travel documentarian’s voice. Filmmakers used an AI model of Bourdain’s voice to “read” an email the acclaimed chef had sent prior to his demise.
Some viewers said it was “unsettling” and “grotesque,” questioning the ethical nature of reproducing a voice from beyond the grave.
Now, the controversial trend has returned in a new Andy Warhol documentary series, which is slated to be broadcast on Netflix in March.
Similar to Bourdain’s film, Warhol’s voice is AI-generated, allowing the late artist to “narrate” his own diaries.
According to ARTnews, Andrew Rossi, the series’ creator, had developed the model with permission from the Andy Warhol Foundation.
In fact, the show posits that Warhol himself would have been keen on the use of AI-generated narration.
As Input noted, the artist’s well-known fascination with manufacturing and modern media could very well lend itself to the idea that he would view an AI model of his voice as an art project in itself.
Will viewers find it as difficult to stomach as with Bourdain’s film?
Or will the knowledge that an AI-generated voice over would probably have the approval of the artist himself make it less of an ethical quandary?
[via ARTnews and Input, cover image via Eric Broder Van Dyke | Dreamstime.com]