ScotRail stole my voice for new AI train announcements without my permission – I feel so violated

Scottish Sun

27-05-2025

The train provider said they won't be removing the new robot voice - which replaced a real person after 20 years
AI DON'T BELIEVE IT ScotRail stole my voice for new AI train announcements without my permission – I feel so violated
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A SCOTS actress has slammed ScotRail after claiming her voice was stolen to create their new AI train announcer, leaving her feeling 'violated' and powerless.
The government-owned train operator controversially introduced a synthetic Scottish voice to make onboard announcements to replace pre-recorded human announcers earlier this month.
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ScotRail introduced an AI voice to its announcements - but it is claimed it was stolen
Credit: Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow
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Gayanne Potter claims she feel violated and exploited after the train firm used her voice without her permission
Credit: Facebook
But Gayanne Potter, one of the country's leading voiceover artists, says new AI voice, 'Iona', is based on recordings she made in 2021—without her consent.
She revealed she'd been locked in a bitter dispute with Swedish company ReadSpeaker for two years, which Gayanne claims has misused her voice data.
The rail operator told the BBC it does not intend to remove the AI voice from its trains after Gayanne highlighted the issue in a now-viral Facebook post.
Now the furious voiceover artist, from the outskirts of Edinburgh, says her biometric data has been exploited, leaving her outraged.
She told the Scottish Sun: 'To discover ScotRail bought a robotic version of my voice data without my written consent was shocking enough.
"But now I know ScotRail is aware they bought a voice data model of me, containing my biometric data, without my consent, and yet they're refusing to remove it from their trains.
"It's disgusting behaviour.
"Why choose a dreadful AI version of me when I'm right here?
"It's unfathomable that my voice data has been used to train AI models without my consent.
"My biometric data is unique to me, and it's being exploited without any regard for my rights."
'Great work lads', joke ScotRail users as they slam changes at major station
Gayanne maintains that the recordings were meant for translation purposes but were later used to develop the AI model now being touted by the public rail provider, breaching their agreement.
Ms Potter insisted her original contract clearly stated that any forward selling to third parties would require her written consent.
She says she received only a 'minimal' fee for the initial work, which she offered to repay to have the data deleted.
She continued: 'This technology didn't exist in its current form when I recorded for ReadSpeaker.
"ScotRail, a public body, is knowingly using someone's biometric data without consent, yet they've stated they have no plans to remove it.
"Traditionally, voice artists like myself would have been contracted for such jobs, but ScotRail has replaced real people with AI, dismissing the previous voice artist who served them for 20 years.
"Their justification for using AI - that it allows for rapid announcements in unforeseen situations - is absurd.
"There's nothing so unexpected on a railway network that couldn't be pre-recorded.
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Gayanne Potter, voice actress who accuses ScotRail of stealing her voice
Credit: Supplied
"The AI model is riddled with errors, mispronouncing place names because it relies on phonetic spellings rather than correct ones."
ReadSpeaker claims they have a contract to use her voice and their legal team has 'comprehensively' addressed her concerns.
However, Ms Potter remains adamant that her voice data has been exploited, leaving her feeling violated and powerless.
Previously, ScotRail was forced to statement about their use of AI after commuters noticed a change in how stations were pronounced.
It said difficult place names such as Milngavie and Achnasheen are inputted phonetically as "Mill-guy" and "Akna-sheen" to help the software avoid embarrassing mistakes.
But Ms Potter added: "The AI model is riddled with errors, mispronouncing place names because it relies on phonetic spellings rather than correct ones.
"Politicians have been slow to address the dangers of AI misuse.
"If a deepfake of a politician were to emerge in a compromising situation, it would likely prompt immediate action.
"Until something drastic happens to someone in power, the creative community will continue to be overlooked."
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said last night: 'ScotRail has always used automated announcements in relation to customer information, but it doesn't replace human interaction through either pre-recorded audio or staff on trains - something that will continue.
'We are working closely with Network Rail and other train operating companies to continue making improvements across Scotland's Railway, and we are hopeful of further developments in the coming months.'