It's Your Voice, and Your Future - Here's How to Protect It
AI and digital voice technology are evolving fast, bringing both opportunities and challenges for voice actors. As AI-generated voices become more sophisticated, protecting your voice rights has never been more critical. How can you ensure fair compensation? How do you control where and how your voice is used? Let’s break down the strategies you need to safeguard your career in this changing landscape.
Adapting to New Realities
Voice technology isn’t slowing down, and ignoring it won’t make it go away. Instead of fearing AI, voice actors need to evolve with the industry and take an active role in shaping its standards. Companies using AI-generated voices often don’t fully understand traditional voice licensing, which makes it even more important for you to establish clear usage terms.
Take control of your business by setting your own terms. This is your opportunity to define how your voice is used and ensure you’re fairly compensated.
Understanding Licensing: Know Your Worth
With AI and digital voices, licensing must go even further. Avoid “in perpetuity” agreements whenever possible—these can mean unlimited use of your voice without additional compensation. Instead, set clear terms that define usage, duration, and resale rights. In the voice over industry, pricing typically includes two key components:
Session Fees – Payment for the time spent recording.
Usage Fees – Payment based on how, where, and for how long the voice is used.
Consider additional clauses that:
Prevent resale or repurposing of your voice without permission.
Specify data deletion if the contract ends or if the company is acquired.
Ensure your voice is not used in content that conflicts with your personal brand or values.
Protecting Your Rights
With AI voice cloning on the rise, legal protection is more important than ever. Here’s what you can do:
Read Every Contract Carefully – If something feels vague, consult an entertainment attorney.
Define Usage and Compensation – Ensure every agreement specifies where, how, and for how long your voice can be used.
Stay Vigilant – If an audition asks for you to record unusual, out-of-context phrases, it may be an AI training job.
Work with Trusted Companies – Agents, unions, and vetted platforms can help ensure ethical contracts.
If your voice is being used to create an AI voice model, negotiate compensation accordingly. If the client intends to use it commercially or sell it, you should retain rights and set strict limitations on its use. Consider hiring an attorney like Rob Sciglimpaglia, a legal expert who specializes in this area, to help draft contracts, negotiate AI protections, and ensure your rights are safeguarded in this evolving landscape.
The Future of Voice Over in an Era of Digital Voice Licensing
As AI-generated voices become more common, voice actors need to position themselves where AI cannot compete—bringing emotional depth, storytelling, and human connection. AI may be able to replicate a voice, but it cannot truly act. Voice actors who continue to train, refine their craft, and stay informed will likely remain in demand long after others are replaced with digital or AI voices.
Legal regulations are continuously evolving to address AI voice technology. As new laws emerge, staying informed will be key to protecting your rights and ensuring fair compensation.
Own Your Voice, Own Your Future
Your voice is your business, and it deserves to be protected. By setting clear terms, staying informed, and advocating for ethical practices, you can ensure that AI technology works for you—not against you. Be proactive, value your work, and secure your place in the industry’s future.
Thanks for reading - Anne
Work with Anne
Anne Ganguzza is a Voice Actor, Coach, Influencer, and award-winning Podcaster & Demo Producer. based in Southern California.
