Gabby Petito docuseries sparks backlash for using AI-generated voice

The use of AI-generated voice technology to recreate Gabby Petito's voice in the Netflix docuseries "American Murder: Gabby Petito" was criticised as potentially disrespectful to the victim's memory and raised questions about the appropriate use of AI in portraying real-life tragedies. What happened The three-part series, which chronicles the 2021 murder of 22-year-old Gabby Petito by her fiancé Brian Laundrie, employed voice recreation technology to narrate Petito's personal writings. While the filmmakers obtained permission from Petito's family, the decision sparked ethical debates and left some viewers feeling uncomfortable. The AI-generated voice, described as "a little off" by Petito's mother, was criticised as potentially disrespectful to the victim's memory and raised questions about the appropriate use of AI in portraying real-life tragedies. Why it happened The filmmakers justified their decision by stating they wanted to tell Petito's story through her own words, believing it would bring her writings to life and enhance the emotional impact of the documentary. They worked with extensive material provided by Petito's family, including journals and documented trips from her youth. What it means The fracas highlights the growing ethical challenges surrounding the use of AI in media, specifically in true crime narratives, and raises questions about consent, representation, and the potential psychological impact on victims' families and viewers. System 🤖 Unknown Developer: Country: USA Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts Purpose: Rec reate voice Technology: Voice recreation; Machine learning Issue: Authenticity; Representation

Date it happened

2024-02-01

This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.