4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
John Swinney responds to 'controversial' ScotRail AI voiceover
The Government-owned train operator recently rolled out 'Iona', an AI voice on some routes, which replaced older messages recorded by Mathers since 2005.
While established Scottish voiceover artist and actress Gayanne Potter is seeking 'an apology from ScotRail and an acknowledgement they have made a mistake' when basing "Iona" on recordings she made in 2021 without her consent, Mathers revealed to The National she also had no knowledge of the AI rollout.
ScotRail later told Mathers's agent which trains the AI has now been rolled out on and contracted the actress for another six months of usage.
READ MORE: I've voiced ScotRail trains for 20 years. No one told me AI was replacing me
During FMQs on Thursday, Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane asked the First Minister about the issue, to which John Swinney said Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop had told him ScotRail were "fixing it", referring to the voiceover.
Gulhane said: "ScotRail is owned by the Scottish Government, yet it has chosen to use an AI voice, instead of employing a Scottish voice actor.
"Is this how the Scottish Government supports actors?"
Responding to Gulhane, Swinney said: "ScotRail have taken forward a development and I understand it has caused some controversy.
"I'm sure ScotRail is engaging constructively with all concerned.
"I think sometimes, these things just need careful handling, and I'm sure ScotRail will be doing exactly that.
"The Transport Secretary tells me they're fixing it, so they'll be fixing it."
ScotRail has been contacted for comment.
READ MORE: Union slams Scottish companies using voice data without consent for new AI announcers
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson has earlier highlighted Netflix's experience of filming Department Q — a drama currently ranked number one in the UK — in Edinburgh, asking the First Minister what was being done to encourage the growth of Scotland's film industry.
Swinney said: "I welcome very much the investments that were made surrounding Department Q. I think it's been a tremendous success, and will be a great advert and showcase for our country.
He added: "We have increased the budget for Screen Scotland and of course, the screen strategy that was published last year outlines an ambitious plan to grow the sector further and to combine international investment with increased support for emerging Scottish producers and local creative originations."
