How AI Will Give Voice Over Actors Opportunities

As a voiceover actor or voice over artist, you are uniquely positioned to influence how AI (artificial intelligence) technology will evolve.  The opportunities for voiceover actors to create both static and dynamic audio content are vast and growing.  As the smart speaker and home assistant revolution grow, the voiceover industry will see growth as well.

Americans love AI

One in every three people owns some sort of smart speaker.  We commonly ask Siri and Alexa questions and they each have a unique voice that is recognized.  Americans are constantly looking to upgrade their homes to “smart home”. The features of AI are constantly growing and expanding.  Its presence in homes allows for automation of appliances, the temperature in the home, and offering solutions to everyday tasks.

What does this mean for voiceover actors?  More jobs or less?

Creating “Sonic Identities”

Brands will be looking for voice actors to build “sonic identities” for their customers. A sonic identity is the brand’s proprietary sonic voice that conveys the brand story, enhances emotional connection and builds brand attribution.  It ties together talking points across communications, live and digital experiences.  Apple has Siri and Amazon has Alexa, companies, and brands that will need their own versions.

How Voiceover Actors Fit with AI

Artificial intelligence creates opportunities across the board, and this includes the voice over industry.  While you may think that computer power AI applications generated voices, the voices originated somewhere.  That somewhere is a voice-over actor comes in. Those automated voices will need to sound more and more real, based upon good VO actors.

For a voiceover actor, the art of making AI sound human is the key.  Computerized voices need a human voice to establish the foundation of the vocal database.  Siri is voiced by voiceover actor Susan Bennett.  VO actors will be able to help create a more meaningful connection between people and technology they interact with by replicating everyday conversations.

Virtual Assistants and Voice Apps

Any device, app, or assistant that has a voice response option has started with a human, specifically a voiceover actor.  The same is true for virtual assistants and voice apps used across a variety of industries.  A VO actor originally recorded the voices that are there.

While some AI apps currently do not have a voice response to date, they are planning on adding the feature in the not so distant future.  Brands like Google which means more job opportunities.

More Work for Voice over Actors

Companies will need voiceover actors' experience in reworking scripts, audio cues, and prompts.  The opportunity to be the creators of vocal artificial intelligence is there for VO actors. The voiceover industry is poised for an exciting new platform of personalized communication.  Companies realize that the relationship between personalized content and brand loyalty is critical.  It poses a new area for voice over actors.

Artificial Intelligence is an emerging line of work for voice actors and more and more brands will seek to develop their own branded voice.  This new year is the time to expand and hone in on your craft and look for opportunities in this growing job opportunity arena.