The latest high-profile case involving a physical education teacher and former athletic director of a Baltimore County high school who was arrested for using an AI voice cloning service to frame the school principal, has raised concerns about the potential risks of AI voice cloning technology. Interest in AI-powered voice cloning technology has been growing over the past year as services improve in sounding more human. However, cases of improper use of apps and software for voice cloning have also been on the rise.
In the Baltimore case, a recording circulated on social media in January of alleged fake audio of Pikesville High School Principal Eric Eiswert making racist and anti-Semitic comments. Experts noted that the recording had a flat tone, clean background sounds, and lacked coherent breathing sounds or pauses. The recording led to Eiswert’s brief suspension.
Baltimore County police tracked down the recording to Dazhon Darien, a former athletic director at the school. Darien allegedly used the school’s computers to access OpenAI tools and Microsoft Bing Chat services. He was linked to the release of the audio through an email address and associated recovery phone number. Darien was arrested at the airport and is facing charges including theft, disrupting school operations, retaliation against a witness, and stalking.
Other cases of AI voice cloning misuse have been reported, including in Pakistan and Texas. In response to the growing misuse of AI technology, OpenAI decided to limit the public use of its Voice Engine text-to-speech generation platform. US lawmakers have introduced bills to prevent tech companies from using an individual’s face, voice, or name without permission.
The Baltimore County police, along with cases from across the globe, highlight the potential risks of AI voice cloning technology and the need for stricter regulations. The misuse of these technologies can have serious consequences and impact individuals and institutions. With advancements in AI technology comes a responsibility to address ethical and legal implications to prevent further misuse and harm.
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