+ DEFINITIONS for VOICE ACTORS
This document provides clarity on terms in the standard and their meanings. It also helps artists understand the motivation behind the standard.
FOREWORD
DEFINITIONS
OTHER DEFINITIONS
Other definitions of words and ideas related to the Standard for Voice Actors are here.
Accent
The prominence of a syllable; characteristics pronunciations of one spoken language that can be heard in another
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A field that combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving. It also encompasses machine learning and deep learning sub-fields, frequently mentioned in conjunction with artificial intelligence. These disciplines comprise AI algorithms that seek to create expert systems that make predictions or classifications based on input data.*
AI language modeling (or Large Language Modeling (LLM))
Systems that can use natural language text from large amounts of data. Large language models use deep neural networks, such as transformers, to learn from billions or trillions of words and to produce texts on any topic or domain. Large language models can also perform various natural language tasks, such as classification, summarization, translation, generation, and dialogue. Some examples of large language models are GPT-3, BERT, XLNet, and EleutherAI.** LLMs can translate language or text into visual images and vice versa.
Audio output
The production or reproduction of sound, live or recorded
Emphasis
Special and significant stress of voice laid on particular words or syllables, stress laid on particular words by means of position or repetition
Interpretation
Way of understanding or explaining the meaning of something
Language
Communication by voice in the distinctively human manner, speech; a body of words and the systems for their use common to people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition
Inflection
Morphological vocal processing
When the features and structures of a vocal sound's characteristics are described and processed as words
Pause
A temporary stop or rest
Personal, original idea
An idea representing a specific human being's unique insight or experience in the world
Pitch
Height or depth of a tone or sound, depending upon the relative rapidity of the vibrations by which it is produced
Pronunciation
Producing the sounds of speech, including articulation, stress, and intonation, often concerning a standard of correctness or acceptability
Rate/Speed
A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure, rate of motion, or progress
Representation and description
Representing a sound in a way that can be analyzed by a computer, like numbers or words that have been assigned to specific sounds and features of recorded sounds
Sound
Vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium experienced through hearing
Text-to-voice generation
Also known as text-to-speech (TTS), using written or spoken words to prompt an AI generator to create vocal work
Timbre
The characteristic quality of sound, independent of pitch or volume, from which the manner of production can be inferred, dependent on the relative components of resonant frequencies
Tone
A sound considered concerning its quality, pitch, strength, and source; the quality or character of a sound
Values
Principles or standards of behavior
Values-based
Relating to principles, values, or ethical assumptions that motivate human behavior
Voiceover
The voice of an offscreen narrator, announcer, speaker, or reader, as in a commercial, using such a voice
SOURCE
*IBM: What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
**Microsoft | Learn | LLM
***Oxford Languages
SOURCE
*IBM | What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
**Microsoft | Learn | LLM
***Oxford Languages
****McKinsey & Co. | What is generative AI?
*****AI-Based Affective Music Generation Systems: A Review of Methods, and Challenges | ADYASHA DASH and KAT R. AGRES
ESSENTIAL VOCALIZATION
In vocal performance, artists use their minds and distinctive physical and verbal traits to bring human expressions to life, crafting unique soundscapes. These come alive in movies, radio, audiobooks, and more. We establish essential human vocalization with a simple question.
The essential question of vocalization is: Who (or what) gave voice to this sound?
RATIONALE
We hear and experience spoken vocalizations, either human voices or voices simulated by a machine.
The result is vocal work when a human's voice can be experienced live or in recorded media.
ASSUMPTION OF ESSENTIAL HUMAN VOCALIZATION
If a human (and not a machine) gives voice to words and sounds, then a human is the essential vocalizer.
Here are definitions of words and ideas used in the Standard for Voice Actors.
Standard
A specific description of human behavior
Voice Actor/Voiceover Artist
The narrator/performer of vocal work
Represent
Present, share, or show work with others
Vocal work
The narration or production of essential vocal elements for live performance, broadcast, or recording
Team
A group of people working together
Intellectual property
A work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.***
Essential
The fundamental elements or characteristics of something
Essentially vocalized
When a voice actor narrates or produces essential vocal elements in a meaningful way to create vocal work (see Essential Vocalization below)
Essential vocal elements
Sounds made by the vocal tract–can be heard as talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, humming, mumbling, or shouting
Human
Noun: a human person; adjective: from a human person
Generative AI
Shorter definition–machines that create novel (new) content | Longer definition–generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms (such as ChatGPT) that can be used to create new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos.****
Machine learning
"Systems that act like humans"*
Other generative processes
Other processes involving AI or machine learning to create novel (new) content
The most important definition in the standard is that of vocal work. In this context, vocal work refers to the selection and arrangement of essential vocal elements in a performance to be heard–narration, dialogue, or voice-over that has been performed, recorded, or broadcast. The industry of vocal acting, voiceover, or voice-over reaches billions of people across the globe, and there are millions of voice actors, even in the English language.
In drafting the Standard for Voice Actors, we understand the uniqueness of this craft. Voiceover work is not writing, as the narrations and scripts performed by voice actors are usually not written by them. Most voiceover work takes place in homes, cars, and other sites, where professionals rehearse and practice. It is then recorded in a studio and often combined with different types of media, including visual and musical media.
Voiceover must be heard to be experienced, and in cases where the audience can't hear the actor's voice, closed captions are sometimes provided. However, these can only attempt to capture the writer's words and make written reference to the voice actor's vocal inflections.
While there is no strong evidence of crossover or mixed use between AI-simulated and human voices in the industry itself – the human voice remains distinct from AI simulation – modern voice production involves various technical processes where AI tools may be employed. From studio recording enhancement to post-production processing, these tools support but do not replace the human voice actor's performance. Therefore, we've developed a spectrum to help voice actors clearly communicate their work's relationship to these AI-assisted production elements while maintaining the fundamental distinction between human and AI-simulated voices.
HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION LEVELS
VerifiedHuman™ uses a 5-point spectrum to indicate the level of human versus AI involvement in vocal production work. All VerifiedHuman™ labeled work must meet or exceed Level 3 (VH3).
VH5 - >99% Human-Performed (<1% AI-Generated)
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Vocal content performed and produced entirely without AI assistance
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Includes unique vocal nuances, emotional depth, and personalized expression
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No traces of automated processes in production
VH4 - Mostly Human-Composed
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Predominantly human-performed with minimal AI assistance in production
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May use AI for technical enhancements (noise reduction, audio cleanup)
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Human vocal expression dominates
VH3 - Balanced Human-AI Collaboration
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Equal partnership between human performance and AI-assisted production
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Harmonious integration of human voice and AI-enhanced technical elements
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Significant human performance input maintained
Work below VH3 is not eligible for the VerifiedHuman™ label.
In the spirit of this standard, the question remains: Did you perform it, or did AI generate it? We believe the voice actor's intention to create and present vocal work as their own should always remain with them. Therefore, we urge all voice actors to authenticate their work in the performance process to ensure that their final product is unique and distinctive.
We acknowledge the hard work of skilled professionals - women and men who have honed their skills and mastered this craft in various languages. We appreciate your human voices and are grateful to be able to help you mark them as appropriately yours.
