A.I. Isn’t Coming for Moe the Bartender. Not Yet, Anyway.
Feb 4, 2025
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Hank Azaria, renowned actor and voiceover artist from "The Simpsons," dives into the evolving world of A.I. and its impact on vocal acting. He passionately discusses the irreplaceable human touch that brings characters like Moe Szyslak to life. Azaria expresses optimism about the future, believing there will always be a place for authentic performers amid technological advancements. He also explores how A.I. can serve as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace it, sparking a thoughtful conversation on the role of artists in a changing landscape.
The podcast highlights the challenge AI poses to vocal acting by replicating voices but lacking the emotional depth human actors provide.
Hank Azaria emphasizes the importance of collaboration between AI and human creatives to maintain authenticity in artistic expression.
Deep dives
The Rise of AI in Voice Acting
The discussion centers on the increasing capabilities of artificial intelligence in mimicking human voices, particularly in the context of voice acting. Notably, the episode references the incident involving actress Scarlett Johansson, who declined an offer from OpenAI to be the voice of ChatGPT, yet found that an AI-generated voice assistant sounded remarkably like her. This development highlights the potential for AI to recreate voices of established characters like Moe and Chief Wiggum without the original actors’ involvement. However, while AI is becoming adept at voice replication, concerns remain about its inability to capture the nuanced emotions and motivations that characterize human performances.
Human-AI Collaboration in Creative Fields
The potential for collaboration between humans and AI in creative processes is explored, emphasizing the need for human input in bringing warmth and depth to generated content. AI can generate ideas and initial drafts, yet it still requires the creative touch of a human to refine and add emotion. The impact of AI in various artistic forms, such as music, is also discussed, showcasing how AI can produce impressive outputs while raising questions about authenticity and originality. Ultimately, the balance between these technologies and traditional artistry could shape the future of entertainment, making it essential for creative professionals to adapt and potentially leverage AI as a tool rather than a threat.
1.
Navigating the Intersection of AI and Voice Acting
In this episode, the actor Hank Azaria, known in part for his numerous roles on “The Simpsons,” confronts how A.I. is already shaking up the vocal acting world. As he explains the human touches that shape his characters, he also offers hope for a future in which there is still a need for performers like himself. Is it inevitable that artificial intelligence will soon put him and his fellow creatives out of a job?
Read Hank Azaria’s essay and watch him perform his most famous “Simpsons” characters at nytimes.com.
Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.
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