Voice talent Inka Magnaye raises alarm after mother loses voice-over gig to AI

Content creator and voice talent Inka Magnaye recently raised concerns about AI’s growing threat to creative jobs after her mother, veteran voice talent Lindy Pellicer, lost a voice-over gig to the technology.

“My heart breaks for all the artists and creatives,” Inka wrote in a social media post on Thursday, alongside a screenshot of her mother’s message to their family: “I just lost a voice over job to AI.” Inka’s  brother tried to comfort their mother, suggesting that the decision might have been driven by budget constraints.

Although Inka did not name the client, she described it as a major brand. 

While acknowledging that businesses have their own interests to consider, she urged companies to think about the impact of choosing AI over human talent.

She challenged major brands to consider whether they wanted a future in which technology consumed the earth’s resources while taking away opportunities from people.

“Is that the future you want? A world where numbers, codes, and programs syphon the earth’s resources and take opportunities from actual human beings?” she asked.

Inka also pointed out that the money companies save by turning to AI could come at the expense of the very people who support their businesses.

“Sure, you save money. But the money you would have spent on the real people who would love to work with you will end up spending this money back on you anyway. We are your customers, too,” she said.

She also argued that AI should serve as a tool rather than a replacement for human talent, saying that AI-generated content lacks the life and authenticity of human-made work.

“AI VOs sound lifeless. AI art feels lifeless. AI music sounds lifeless. Why? Because AI is not alive,” she emphasized. “It can never replicate life. And we are slowly being backed into a dead world one prompt at a time.” 

Inka ended her post by calling on brands and companies to hire her mother: “If any brands or companies out there want to hire an amazing voice-over artist, my mom’s schedule just freed up.”

Lindy thanked her daughter for the support but admitted that losing the job was particularly distressing because she had worked with the client for many years.

“It’s a sad and frustrating day for me because I’ve been doing voice work for them for many years! This is the day I dreaded most!” Lindy expressed.

Despite her disappointment, Lindy remained hopeful, placing her trust in God to bring her new opportunities.

“Now that it’s here, I can only trust God to get me gigs. He is my full-time booking agent!”

Lindy’s experience comes amid growing concerns among artists and creative professionals about AI’s potential to displace workers and limit job opportunities in the industry.

Both Inka and Lindy are established voice talents having worked on commercial campaigns and brand advertisements.