Latest news with #Potter
The National
2 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan investigate in 'Thursday Murder Club'
May 29 (UPI) -- Netflix is teasing The Thursday Murder Club starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The actors, who also star opposite one another in MobLand, portray retirees Elizabeth and Ron, who enjoy solving cold cases alongside Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie). The film takes its inspiration from Richard Osman's 2020 book, and follows the group as "their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands," according to an official synopsis. "There's been a murder, an actual murder," Joyce says in the trailer released Thursday. "Now we've got a real case to solve. Isn't it wonderful? Obviously, RIP and all that." Chris Columbus, known for his work on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, directs the film. "This is the finest cast I've worked with since Potter," he told Netflix's Tudum. "They're just so incredibly well-prepared, and it's because they do everything. They do theater, they do television, they do film, and they've developed those sorts of muscles." "Thematically it's interesting that we've got four elderly people who are living in a retirement community and who are fascinated by death and murder," he said. "They are facing their own demise, yet at the same time they are obsessed with studying cold cases. I fell in love thematically with that. It's comedic, but it's also very emotional." Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant and Ingrid Oliver also star in the film, which arrives on Netflix Aug. 28.
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan investigate in 'Thursday Murder Club'
1 of 4 | Celia Imrie, Sir Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan star in "Thursday Murder Club." Photo by Giles Keyte/Netflix May 29 (UPI) -- Netflix is teasing The Thursday Murder Club starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The actors, who also star opposite one another in MobLand, portray retirees Elizabeth and Ron, who enjoy solving cold cases alongside Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie). The film takes its inspiration from Richard Osman's 2020 book, and follows the group as "their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands," according to an official synopsis. "There's been a murder, an actual murder," Joyce says in the trailer released Thursday. "Now we've got a real case to solve. Isn't it wonderful? Obviously, RIP and all that." Chris Columbus, known for his work on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, directs the film. "This is the finest cast I've worked with since Potter," he told Netflix's Tudum. "They're just so incredibly well-prepared, and it's because they do everything. They do theater, they do television, they do film, and they've developed those sorts of muscles." "Thematically it's interesting that we've got four elderly people who are living in a retirement community and who are fascinated by death and murder," he said. "They are facing their own demise, yet at the same time they are obsessed with studying cold cases. I fell in love thematically with that. It's comedic, but it's also very emotional." Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant and Ingrid Oliver also star in the film, which arrives on Netflix Aug. 28.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Violated': Voiceover artist demands ScotRail removes her voice from new AI announcements
The voice, dubbed Iona, is being used for announcements on ScotRail services across the country. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish voiceover artist has called for ScotRail to remove her voice from its new AI train announcements system because she never agreed to its use. Gayanne Potter, whose work also includes the 'Voice of God' introductions to ITV News, said she felt 'violated' because her voice had been used for a different purpose to what she had agreed with the Swedish company that provided the system. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillors will discuss ScotRail's plans to reduce opening hours of ticket offices including four in Fife. (Pic: John Devlin) | John Devlin/The Scotsman A synthetic version of Ms Potter's voice, known as Iona, has been used on some ScotRail trains since July last year, replacing its pre-recorded human voice announcements. The Scottish Government-owned operator said the move was to 'make announcements more modern and reflective of the routes the train serves'. 'Nobody told me' Edinburgh-born Ms Potter, who is based in Midlothian, said she was in dispute with ReadSpeaker, which had supplied Iona, and called for ScotRail to revert to a human voice. ScotRail said the dispute was between her and ReadSpeaker and it had 'no plans' to remove the voice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Writing on her Facebook page, Ms Potter said: 'I discovered last week that ScotRail's new horrible AI train announcer Iona is in fact using my voice data - and nobody told me. 'I have been in dispute with a company in Sweden, ReadSpeaker, for over two years to get my voice data removed from their website.' Ms Potter said in 2021 she had understood that her voice would be used by the firm 'to provide text to speech recordings to be used for translation purposes from foreign language copy pasted into their site, and as an accessibility tool for people with visual impairment'. Two years later, she discovered it was also being used for Iona, along with an AI-generated image of a red-haired woman, which was marketed by ReadSpeaker 'for much wider purposes'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gayanne Potter called for ScotRail to use a human voice instead of AI | Gayanne Potter Ms Potter said the company refused to stop using her voice, despite offering to repay her fee, and she was now pursuing the case through lawyers. She said: 'I will not let this rest. So imagine my distress when I discover that ScotRail have installed the ReadSpeaker model Iona that contains my biometric voice data as their new announcer on their trains. 'I did not know. I was not asked. I did not consent. I was not given a choice. 'Four years ago, we didn't have the AI we use now. You cannot consent to something that doesn't exist. You should be able to withdraw your consent at any point. Readspeaker won't let me. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Why choose a dreadful AI version of me' 'It's not about money. It's about my identity. I feel violated. 'ScotRail should employ a real human irrespective of who it is. Why continue to choose a dreadful AI version of me when I'm right here - and I know how to pronounce Milngavie?' ScotRail said Iona had been used for supplementary announcements on its Class 156 diesel trains, which operate on routes including north of Inverness, and High Speed Trains - inter-city services - over the past ten months. The system has also been used on its class 380 trains, whose routes include in Ayrshire and Inverclyde, for the last two weeks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Its spokesperson said: 'It would be a matter for Ms Potter to take up with ReadSpeaker, who her contract is with. We have no plans to remove the voice from our trains.' ReadSpeaker chief marketing officer Roy Lindemann said: "We are 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."
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Harry Potter x MINISO Pop-Up Store Now Open at Mall of India, Noida
Attention, all Wizards and Muggles! The wait is over—the exclusive Harry Potter x MINISO Pop-Up Store is now open at Mall of India, Noida! Explore a world of magic at Miniso's Harry Potter pop-up store, where a wide selection of officially licensed Harry Potter products is available. From enchanting stationery and spellbinding plush toys to house-themed accessories and collectibles, this pop-up store is a dream come true for every Harry Potter fan. Whether you're a brave Gryffindor, a wise Ravenclaw, a loyal Hufflepuff, or an ambitious Slytherin, you'll find something to showcase your House pride!The store is inspired by elements as seen in the Harry Potter films. As you step in, you'll be greeted by decor inspired by the corridors of Hogwarts, complete with floating candles and spellbinding visuals. Every corner of the store offers a magical experience, making it the perfect setting for capturing memorable photos. You can even pose next to life-size replicas of famous props from the films!Event details-Harry Potter X Miniso Pop-up storeDate: May 25th- June 29thTimings: 11 AM - 11 PMBeyond the visual experience, the Harry Potter x MINISO Pop-Up Store offers an extensive range of exclusive Harry Potter merchandise that will delight every fan. Browse through intricately designed wands, stylish Hogwarts house-themed bags, and adorable plushies of your favorite magical creatures. If you're a collector, you won't want to miss the limited-edition items that are only available at this those looking to add a touch of Hogwarts to their daily life, the store features an exciting selection of home and lifestyle products. From cozy Gryffindor blankets to intricately designed Ravenclaw notebooks, every item lets you carry a piece of Harry Potter's world with you wherever you go. Whether you're buying for yourself or picking up a gift for a fellow Harry Potter fan, there's something for elevate the magical experience, the pop-up store also features Harry Potter clothing products celebrating each Hogwarts house! Fans can explore house-inspired apparel and discover photo-worthy corners designed with stunning wizarding world this pop-up experience is only available for a limited time! Gather your fellow witches and wizards and make your way to Mall of India, Noida, before the magic disappears. Don't forget to share your magical moments on social media using #HarryPotterXMINISO #MINISOINDIA #MagicalWondersAwait and join the spellbinding adventure today! Explore the magical world—only at the Harry Potter x MINISO Pop-Up Store!About the Harry Potter franchise From the moment eleven-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.J.K. Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe that is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerises on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences - including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 34 retail shops and iconic flagship store - Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches, and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry a new HBO Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves. About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer ProductsWarner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery's Revenue & Strategy division, extends the company's powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home dcor, and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.' film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the The material and information contained are for advertorial purposes only. India Today holds no responsibility for the content written on the website as a basis for making any business, legal, or any other decision. Any reliance placed on such material is at your own risk. advertisement
