Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine sign AI voice deal

In a major move highlighting the growing intersection between artificial intelligence and entertainment, Oscar-winning actors Matthew McConaughey and Sir Michael Caine have officially partnered with AI audio company ElevenLabs to license their voices digitally. The deal marks another significant step in the entertainment industry's gradual acceptance of AI-driven voice replication and storytelling technologies.

What the Deal Involves

Founded in 2022, ElevenLabs specializes in synthetic voice generation, allowing brands, creators, and studios to license the voices of celebrities or historical figures for use in advertisements, narrations, and digital content. Both McConaughey and Caine have agreed to allow their voices to be recreated for specific creative purposes under this partnership.

McConaughey, who has been an investor in ElevenLabs since 2022, announced that his collaboration will allow the company to translate his personal newsletter, Lyrics of Livin’, into Spanish — all using his own AI-generated voice.

Meanwhile, 91-year-old Michael Caine — who retired from acting earlier this year — has licensed his voice via ElevenLabs’ Iconic Marketplace, making it available for storytelling and narration projects through the company’s text-to-audio app, ElevenReader.

Caine: “It’s About Amplifying Voices”

Reflecting on his decision, Caine said the partnership isn’t about replacing human creativity but rather enhancing it.

“It’s not about replacing voices; it’s about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere,” said Caine. “I’ve spent a lifetime telling stories. ElevenLabs will help the next generation tell theirs.”

This statement aligns with ElevenLabs’ philosophy of a “performer-first” approach — ensuring that creative authenticity, consent, and respect remain central to AI voice use in entertainment.

A Growing Roster of Digital Voices

ElevenLabs already features several iconic and historical voices, both licensed from living celebrities and recreated from archival recordings. Among its digital performers are Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel, Maya Angelou, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The company markets its platform as a way to bridge creativity and technology, providing artists and brands with access to realistic AI voice capabilities while ensuring that original talent remains fairly represented and compensated.

The Larger Debate: AI in Hollywood

The move comes amid heated debates within the entertainment industry about the use of generative AI in filmmaking, music, and voice acting. While companies like ElevenLabs and Netflix are embracing AI tools, many artists, unions, and advocacy groups remain deeply skeptical.

The SAG-AFTRA acting union has repeatedly warned about the dangers of “synthetic performers” replacing real actors. Earlier this year, the union joined other global acting bodies in protesting against the creation of the AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, declaring:

“SAG-AFTRA believes creativity is, and should remain, human-centered. The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics.”

Still, large studios and tech firms continue to push forward. Netflix, Warner Music Group, and even independent filmmakers are investing heavily in AI-based tools for production, dubbing, and marketing.

Privacy and Ethical Concerns

The rise of AI-generated voices has also prompted serious concerns about consent, privacy, and misinformation. Recent controversies have seen actors’ voices and likenesses used in advertisements without fair compensation.

Actor Scott Jacqmein, for instance, revealed that after selling his digital likeness to TikTok, his AI replica began appearing in ads for insurance, apps, and other products — none of which he approved or was paid for.

Consumer advocacy groups have also raised alarms, accusing AI companies of privacy violations and “undermining public trust” through the misuse of celebrity voices and deepfakes.

The Industry’s Divide

Despite resistance from some quarters, AI’s influence appears unstoppable. Visionary filmmakers like George Miller (Mad Max) have called AI “a dynamic tool for creating moving images,” while executives such as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argue that AI-driven innovation can lead to “more opportunities and better art.”

Yet, prominent filmmakers including Guillermo del Toro, Werner Herzog, and Hayao Miyazaki have publicly condemned generative AI. Del Toro bluntly stated in an interview:

“I’d rather die than use AI in my films.”

Such opposing views underline a cultural divide — one that questions whether AI should serve as an artistic assistant or a replacement for human creativity.

ElevenLabs insists that its approach is collaborative rather than exploitative, emphasizing performer consent and creative control. The inclusion of respected figures like McConaughey and Caine may lend credibility to its mission, positioning AI as a storytelling partner rather than a threat.

But as Hollywood grapples with AI’s rapid evolution, the question remains: Can technology coexist with human artistry without eroding it?

For now, as Caine and McConaughey lend their voices — quite literally — to the future of digital storytelling, the entertainment world watches closely, balancing innovation with integrity.