During the recent National Day holiday in China, some internet users took to social media to express their frustrations and make jokes by using AI to clone the voice of Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi. Many users reported feeling “verbally attacked” by this AI-generated version of Lei Jun throughout the holiday. These spoofed clips included not only insults and complaints, but also bizarre requests for donations to certain universities and outrageous claims about using Xiaomi vehicles for violent acts.
In response to the surge of such content, short video platforms have begun to remove these offending pieces from their sites.
Legal experts are raising concerns about the implications of using AI to replicate Lei Jun’s voice without consent. Zhou Wei, a lawyer from Beijing Xieli Law Firm, noted that if the impersonation closely resembles Lei Jun’s real voice and leads to harm to his reputation, the individuals creating these spoofs could be found in violation of his rights. This includes rights related to personal image, voice, and reputation. Potential consequences for these actions could involve cessation of the infringement, public apologies, and financial compensation for damages.
Moreover, if the AI-generated content spreads misinformation and causes significant societal impact, creators could face additional legal repercussions under public security laws, which could include fines, detention, or even imprisonment.
