Recently, Netflix has sparked widespread controversy with its newly released true crime documentary "American Murder: The Gabby Petito Story," due to the use of AI technology to recreate the voice of the late social media influencer Gabby Petito. Gabby was murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie in August 2021, which deeply saddened the public. At the beginning of the documentary, viewers notice a disclaimer stating that Petito's diary and text messages will be voiced using voice reproduction technology in her own voice.
Image Source Note: Image generated by AI, image licensed from Midjourney
This artistic choice has elicited strong reactions from the audience, with many expressing discomfort. One viewer wrote on social media: "I was really engaged until I saw AI reading her texts and diary. That was really inappropriate. She is a murder victim, and this makes me feel violated all over again." Another viewer stated: "Her voice has been taken away, and using this emotionless AI voice as a substitute is an insult."
It is worth noting that Petito's parents provided significant support during the production of this documentary. Producer Michael Gasparro mentioned that they obtained a wealth of material from Gabby, including her diaries and written records since childhood. He stated: "We wanted to tell everything through Gabby's story as much as possible." However, despite receiving the family's consent, many viewers remain dissatisfied, arguing that this approach is not only uncomfortable but also morally questionable.
On social media, many users have expressed concerns about the use of this technology. One user commented: "Even though they got the family's consent, that doesn't make it comfortable. The AI-generated voice cannot genuinely convey her emotions and tone, which disgusts me." Another user pointed out that this practice may set a bad precedent for future documentaries.
In fact, Netflix is not new to using AI technology in true crime documentaries. Last year, media outlets discovered that the platform used clearly AI-generated images in a documentary about a murder conspiracy. Despite the increasing prevalence of this technology, viewers remain cautious about its use. The production team insists that they did not harm Petito's story, but rather aimed to present the narrative more authentically through her perspective.
Key Points:
🎬 Netflix's new documentary uses AI to recreate Gabby Petito's voice, sparking strong controversy.
😡 Viewers believe that using AI-generated voices infringes on the dignity of the victim and express strong dissatisfaction.
📣 The production team claims that the use of AI aims to convey the victim's story more authentically and has received family support.
