Voice Cloning

Voice cloning is creating a synthetic voice that sounds like a specific real person, using recordings of that person's speech.

Modern AI can learn the sound of a voice from a short sample and then speak any text in that voice. Uses range from accessibility tools and audiobooks to sales calls where a rep's own voice is used for an AI agent.

The risks are real. Scammers have used cloned voices to impersonate family members, executives, and public figures. In February 2024, the FCC confirmed that AI-generated voices, including cloned ones, are artificial voices under the TCPA. Calls using them for telemarketing need prior express written consent from the person called.

Responsible voice cloning includes:

• Consent from the person whose voice is cloned, ideally spoken and recorded.
• Admin approval or other controls so no one can clone a voice without permission.
• Clear disclosure on every call that the caller is an AI, even if it sounds like a real rep.
• Limits on what the cloned voice can be used for.
• A way for the voice owner to withdraw consent and have the voice removed.

Some states have laws on using a person's voice or likeness without permission. A cloned voice should never be used to make someone believe they are speaking with the actual human.

Sources

• FCC, AI voices under the TCPA (Feb 2024): https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-confirms-tcpa-applies-ai-technologies-generate-human-voices (accessed October 17, 2026)

This entry is general information, not legal advice.