As humorous as it may sound to hear “David Attenborough” narrate everything from the mating habits of work colleagues to the peculiar behavior of household pets, the man himself is far from entertained. Sir David Attenborough, known for his soothing and captivating voice, has expressed his deep displeasure with AI-generated clones of his iconic tones.

“I am profoundly disturbed to find these days my identity is being stolen by others and greatly object to them using it to say whatever they wish,” Attenborough said, making it clear that these digital imitations cross a line.

The trigger for his frustration came after the BBC played him clips of his voice being mimicked by Artificial Intelligence. These AI versions, often designed to replicate the cadence, tone, and rhythm of Attenborough’s speech, have become increasingly common. While many have found the novelty amusing—whether it’s “David Attenborough” narrating an office meeting or mimicking pop culture references—the legendary figure behind the voice is not laughing.

While the rise of AI voice cloning offers incredible possibilities, from improving accessibility for those with speech impairments to creating lifelike digital assistants, it also presents ethical dilemmas that need careful consideration. For Sir David Attenborough, and others like him, the question is no longer about the novelty of hearing their voices in new contexts—it’s about how these digital imitations are used and the implications for their identities.

So, next time you hear “David Attenborough” comment on the unusual habits of your coworkers, just remember: it might not be the man himself. And judging by his recent remarks, that’s something Sir David Attenborough wishes we all took more seriously.

[Via BoingBoing]