Latest news with #GayannePotter
Edinburgh Live
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Midlothian woman transforms mansion into a magical family escape
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Midlothian woman has transformed a section of a neglected mansion into a magical workshop for all ages. Gayanne Potter and her family spent months turning the neglected wing of Vogrie House into a mystical venue after they were offered it by Midlothian Council. She said: "I wanted to create a space that felt magical and enchanting, somewhere families could enjoy a slower pace for a while and reconnect through different imaginative activities. Take time away from screens, just be swept up in the wonder we've created in the different rooms. "Magic has no age limit and The Bubbling Toad doesn't either, it's for everyone.' The wing they painstakingly restored is now home to The Bubbling Toad, an experience like no other where children and adults alike can embrace their magical side as they make potions, create magical crafts in their various workshops and dive into the world of fantasy by following hidden trails in the Fairy Hollow. (Image: Supplied) Located in Vogrie Country Park, this handcrafted space also features a 'starlit' library and an 'everchanging' escape room that will be changed every few months. Having opened on Friday, June 6, their first escape room is Victorian themed. However, during specific holidays, it will be modified to fit the occasion. At Christmas, for example, The Bubbling Toad team will turn their Fairy Hollow into an Elf's Workshop while the escape room becomes Santa's Grotto. And to top it all off, The Bubbling Toad will also be bookable for parties where children can either let their imagination run free in the Fairy Hollow or let their creativity flow with an exclusive potion making party. Experiences start from just £8 for children's sessions, with adult experiences and crafting classes starting from £18. More information on The Bubbling Toad can be found here.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Company forced to fix AI train announcer after woman recognised her own voice
ScotRail is working to rectify its AI train announcer, named Iona, following allegations that it uses a woman's voice without her consent, according to First Minister John Swinney. The issue arose after Scottish voiceover artist Gayanne Potter claimed that the publicly-owned rail operator based Iona on recordings she made in 2021. Responding to concerns raised by Fiona Hyslop, Swinney stated, "The Transport Secretary tells me they're fixing it, so they will be fixing it." Ms Potter has welcomed this commitment as a 'meaningful step forward'. The issue was raised at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood, with Scottish Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane asking if it is how the Scottish Government – which took ScotRail into public ownership in 2022 – 'supports actors'. The Tory pressed the case with Mr Swinney after Ms Potter, in a widely shared Facebook post, accused ScotRail of dismissing her concerns. She said Iona came from voice data held by Swedish-based company ReadSpeaker, who she did recordings for in 2021 – adding that by using her voice in an AI model the company had acted outside of the terms of her agreement with them. Ms Potter spoke of her 'distress' at discovering Scotland had 'installed the ReadSpeaker model 'Iona' that contains my biometric voice data as their new announcer on all their trains'. She insisted: 'I did not know. I was not asked. I did not consent.' Mr Swinney said he is 'sure' the rail operator will be 'engaging constructively with all concerned'. He added: 'I think sometimes these things do indeed need careful handling and I am sure ScotRail will be doing exactly that.' Following the First Minister's comments, a spokeswoman for Ms Potter told the PA news agency: 'We welcome the fact that the First Minister acknowledged the issue at hand and confirmed that ScotRail 'will be fixing it'. 'While the language may not be definitive at this stage, this public commitment is a meaningful step forward for Gayanne, and other artists in her position. 'That said, this case isn't just about hiring Scottish actors. It's about the use of a real actor's voice without her informed consent, and the broader need for ethical standards in the deployment of AI voice technology. 'We now hope that 'fixing it' will include direct engagement with Gayanne, proper accountability from those responsible, and a clear commitment to ensuring that consent, transparency, and fair treatment become non-negotiable in the use of AI by public bodies. 'The public sector needs to be rigorous in their procurement of AI solutions and the commercial partnerships they strike with AI companies.' Ms Potter's representative said the voice actress had been told by ScotRail earlier this week that the matter was between her and ReadSpeaker. She said they would request that ScotRail cease using 'Iona', adding: 'Any use of Gayanne's or anyone else's voice through AI must be based on her full, informed consent and agreed upon under fair conditions.'
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
ScotRail 'fixing' AI train announcer after artist claimed it was her voice
Gayanne Potter claimed the publicly-owned rail operator based its AI announcer - known as Iona - on recordings she made in 2021. ScotRail is addressing issues with an AI train announcer following allegations it used a woman's voice without consent, the First Minister has announced. John Swinney acknowledged there had been some "controversy" surrounding the matter after Scottish voiceover artist Gayanne Potter claimed the state-owned rail service modelled its AI announcer – known as Iona – on recordings she made in 2021. The subject was brought up during First Minister's Questions at Holyrood, where Scottish Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane questioned if this reflects the Scottish Government's support for actors since ScotRail came under public ownership in 2022. Dr Gulhane continued to press Mr Swinney on the issue after Ms Potter, in a widely circulated Facebook post, accused ScotRail of ignoring her concerns. She alleged that Iona's voice originated from voice data held by Swedish company ReadSpeaker, for whom she recorded in 2021, claiming that their use of her voice in an AI model breached the terms of her contract with them. Ms Potter expressed her "distress" upon learning that Scotland had "installed the ReadSpeaker model 'Iona' that contains my biometric voice data as their new announcer on all their trains". She emphasised: "I did not know. I was not asked. I did not consent." Mr Swinney assured that he is "sure" ScotRail will "engage constructively with all concerned".
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OPINION - 'I'm devastated that AI stole my voice' ...Tech & Science Daily podcast
Listen here on your chosen podcast platform. Gayanne Potter told us that ScotRail are using her voice for their new AI train announcements without her permission. ScotRail unveiled their new AI announcer 'Iona' earlier this month, and Gayanne is urging them to change it. Gayanne explained that her voice was taken from a previous employer, Swedish company ReadSpeaker, and claims it was not made clear in her contract that they could use her voice again in the future. This episode includes responses from both ScotRail and ReadSpeaker. Also in this episode: -Disposable vapes are officially banned from Sunday, June 1st -New AI test could end 'postcode lottery' for 'game changer' prostate cancer drug -Drought declared in North West England -Japanese researchers say cats can indeed smell the difference between a stranger and their owner…
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'I became the AI voice of Lothian Buses, but didn't know about it', says angry Scottish voiceover artist
Second woman discovers a synthetic version of her voice being used by a Scottish transport operator - in this case, Lothian Buses. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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 Glasgow voiceover artist has accused an AI company of 'stealing her vocal soul' for creating an synthetic version of her voice that has been supplied to Edinburgh bus operator Lothian for announcements. Diane Brooks told The Scotsman that other artists were likely to have been similarly treated after Midlothian-based Gayanne Potter revealed an AI version of her voice had been used by ScotRail for train announcements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Voiceover artist Diane Brooks in her studio near Glasgow on Thursday | John Devlin/The Scotsman Ms Brooks said her voice recordings made 11 years ago for Belgian company Acapela had been used to created a synthetic voice known as 'Rhona'. She thought Rhona may also have been used by other transport operators. 'I am sorry to say and unbeknown to me, my voice is the voice on Lothian buses,' Ms Brooks said. 'I had done a text-to-speech (TTS) project in 2014 when TTS was in its infancy and had known my voice was on Acapela as Rhona, but thought it wouldn't get used as it has been. 'I have felt very strongly for a long time that I had to do something, but felt a bit alone about it all, and what chance would I have against a big corporate company?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Brooks said when Ms Potter revealed an AI version of her voice, known as Iona, had been used by ScotRail, 'it has given me the strength to do something about it, as it's an infringement of my rights as a voiceover artist'. ScotRail said Ms Potter's dispute was with Swedish firm ReadSpeaker, which supplied Iona. Gayanne Potter wants ScotRail to remove the 'Iona' AI version of her voice from its train announcements | Gayanne Potter Ms Brooks said: 'The worst thing is that I have no control of my own voice. I don't know where it will end up and basically, they have stolen my vocal soul. At first I was quite upset, but now I'm really angry. It's not right. 'It's a relief to know I am not the only one who is in the situation and am sure more voiceover artists will come out of the woodwork with the same issue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We must stick together and show a united approach to it all and we can't let these big corporate companies take away our identities and our livelihoods.' Ms Brooks said she was now taking legal advice 'as I want to make sure I have all the ammo I need to take on these companies that really take advantage in the most profitable way for them'. 'I hope strength in numbers will truly resolve this issue as AI is becoming increasingly dominant in everything we do and as voiceover artists we must be better protected in our work,' she said. Ms Brooks' work has included for BBC Bitesize, TV and radio commercials, and announcements for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The artist said she had recorded phrases for her agent, Scottish Voiceovers, now part of Voquent, on behalf of Acapela, but she had not been clear what they were to be used for and did not remember signing a contract. The recordings were later used by Acapela to create Rhona. Ms Brooks said: 'You are trusting your agent to do the best for you and look at things.' Performing arts union Equity said such cases had become common, which it said infringed its members' rights. Liam Budd, its industrial official for recorded media, said: 'It is extremely exploitative for companies to use and commercialise voice recordings to create digital replicas of artists from contracts which pre-date the development of generative AI or were not drafted explicitly for this purpose. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sadly, we have heard from numerous performers who have lost control over their voice or likeness, and had their privacy and likeness hijacked through the misuse of AI. Such misuse is an attack on our members' fundamental rights. 'The union continues to call on the [UK] government for legal certainty around the use of historic contracts for AI-purposes and greater enforcement of existing GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation] laws, which give our members much-needed protections, but are currently being ignored.' 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. 'Lothian is a licensed user of the text-to-speech engine, which originates from our equipment supplier and as such we were not involved in its creation.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lothian said the engine had been supplied by a passenger information equipment provider, which it has yet to name. It said it had 'no direct agreement or contract with Acapela'.
