Latest news with #Coombe
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
ScotRail and Lothian Buses slammed for using AI for voiceovers
Julie Coombe, actress and chair of Cairn — a not-for-profit union of professionals working in the performing arts in Scotland — has called on MSPs to "ask questions of Scotrail" and others after the government-owned train operator recently rolled out AI voice 'Iona' on some routes and replaced older messages recorded one of their members, Fletcher Mathers. Mathers, who has been the voice of ScotRail trains for 20 years, told The National of how she was not informed of the switch to AI and only learned she was being replaced after a friend heard the new synthetic voice onboard. Scottish voiceover artist and actress Gayanne Potter has also said made headlines after she revealed "Iona" is based on recordings she made in 2021. READ MORE: I've voiced ScotRail trains for 20 years and was replaced with AI without being told Now, in a widely shared Facebook post, Potter said ScotRail is dismissing her concerns, asking the company: 'Why continue to choose a dreadful AI version of me when I'm right here?' Coombe said: "Legally, they haven't done anything wrong, but Gaynor did not consent to the use of her voice by the Swedish company for this, and again, Fletcher only found out because somebody informed her — she wasn't told by ScotRail. "There's an awful lot of lack of consent and lack of consideration going on here with this issue. We know AI is part of the landscape as creatives, but what we as an organisation feel there is a need to be new legislative protections put in place for people, and to protect artists' rights." She added: "Acting is a profession not a hobby. Jobbing actors still exist and we are professionals. Most jobbing actors are low earners who rely on side hustles to survive so anything like the work for free for a laugh or cheap AI replacements is a much bigger threat than it might seem. READ MORE: Second legal action launched against equalities watchdog over trans guidance "After what the world went through in 2020 I thought we'd learned the value of people. I know I'd rather hear a human voice on my train. I think most people would." One of Cairn's members wrote to their local MSP requesting action on the issue, and now the union is sharing a template to members to encourage them to also raise concerns with their representatives. Coombe also highlighted a second woman who has accused an AI company of 'stealing her vocal soul," this time for Edinburgh bus operator Lothian announcements. Diane Brooks has said her voice recordings made 11 years ago for Acapela, a Belgian company, had been used to created a synthetic voice known as 'Rhona'. Coombe said: "We really feel we're at a point in our industry where you're up against new hurdles almost daily. "And now none of the companies are actually sticking their head above the parapet and saying, 'oh, by the way, you're actually being used there'." A spokesman for ReadSpeaker previously said: 'ReadSpeaker is aware of Ms Potter's concerns. 'ReadSpeaker and Ms Potter have a contract regarding the use of her voice. 'ReadSpeaker has comprehensively addressed Ms Potter's concerns with her legal representative several times in the past.' Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, also addressed the concerns, adding: 'We are always looking at ways to improve the customer journey experience, and we know how important both on-train and at-station announcements are. 'The use of an automated voice allows us to have more control over the announcements being made, ensures consistency for customers, and gives us flexibility to make changes at short notice. 'ScotRail has always used automated announcements in relation to customer information, but it doesn't replace human interaction through either with 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.' The rail operator has told the BBC it does not intend to remove the AI voice from its trains. A spokesperson for Lothian, which is owned by the City Of Edinburgh Council, said: 'We have two different passenger information systems in use. One uses a recording of a commissioned voice artist for mp3 playback, and the other uses a text-to-speech engine to synthesize a voice.
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
As it redevelops its Boston campus, Gillette launches big expansion in Andover
About 200 people work in Andover now, at the company's roughly 600,000-square-foot complex on the 150-acre property off Interstate 93; the Andover workforce will more than double once Gillette moves its manufacturing out of Boston. The corporate, design, and engineering functions will remain in South Boston, though. The transition to Andover is expected to begin in the next year or two, though it will take a decade or more to redevelop the South Boston campus. (A spokeswoman says P&G is not looking for state or local subsidies for the Andover project.) Gary Coombe, chief executive of P&G's grooming division, said the Andover project proves that the company is investing not just in its blades and razor business but in the future of US manufacturing and in the future of Greater Boston. Advertisement For Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, the Andover expansion shows the importance of ensuring Massachusetts remains competitive for advanced manufacturing. With the 250th anniversary of the battles against the British troops in Lexington and Concord getting celebrated in both towns this week, Driscoll made sure to drop a few Revolution references in her speech, along with a joking apology to Coombe, for going to war against his home country. (Coombe is a U.K. native.) Advertisement 'We want to make sure that revolutionary spirit that guided us 250 years ago continues,' Driscoll said. 'Guess what? It will, on this site.' Senator Barry Finegold of Andover also joked with Coombe, thanking him for making his favorite razor. 'I've got to take a point of personal privilege, as we say: I want to personally thank you,' the clean-shaven Finegold said. 'I'm a Fusion5 guy. Every morning, I get the blades, and also the shaving cream. So thank you for keeping me clean for all these years. I appreciate that.' This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene. Jon Chesto can be reached at
