Voice Actor Walks Away from AI Job in Stand Against AI
Nick Meyer, a 26-year-old voice actor living in Los Angeles, made a significant decision recently: he parted ways with his talent agency after refusing a voice-over job that involved artificial intelligence. This decision reflects a growing unease within the acting community about the increasing role of AI in the industry. Business Insider reviewed documents related to the audition and contacted the talent agency for comment.
Meyer’s journey into voice acting began after a career in TV and film. After a project in Canada was interrupted by the pandemic, he sought new opportunities. “I was talking to one of my agents and was like, ‘I’m tired of sitting back on it. I know the whole industry stopped, but what do you recommend?'” Meyer explained. His agent suggested voice acting, a field he had been subtly preparing for his whole life.
“I’ve been hearing since I was young that I sounded like a 40-year-old man,” Meyer noted. This unique vocal quality, which he used to joke about with friends and casting directors, proved to be an asset. He invested a year and a half in classes with a coach. His social media presence also helped him gain traction. Around early 2023, he found Quinn, an audio storytelling app, and has been working with them since.
The pivotal moment came in February 2025, when Meyer’s agency sent him an audition that raised serious red flags. The job description mentioned machine learning, synthesized voice, and text-to-speech. The potential payout was substantial, with figures ranging from high five figures to low six figures. “As soon as I saw that AI was involved, I was skeptical,” Meyer said. Furthermore, the audition required an NDA, and the casting call was for 100 people. This meant that even if his voice was used, he would not be able to publicly claim it.
“That was a huge red flag for me,” he stated, citing the potential loss of control over his voice and the ethical implications of AI-generated content.
Meyer’s concerns extended beyond the specific job. He believes AI has limitations, especially in developing complex projects. “The biggest problem with machine learning and generative AI is they can’t get the voices right when they’re developing full movies or TV shows,” he said, viewing the offered project as part of a wider trend. Recognizing the potential income, Meyer said it was a difficult choice, but he ultimately declined the offer. His agency’s response was, “This may not be the agency for you.” Meyer understood the statement and agreed.
While currently without an agent, Meyer recently signed with a major voice acting company earlier this week. He is managing this career shift with a manager. The experience has provided him with an opportunity to reflect on the industry.
In conversations with peers, Meyer has found a mix of attitudes toward AI. Some actors anticipate the inevitable rise of AI-generated voices competing in auditions. However, Meyer and many others are actively trying to avoid AI-related work.
Meyer and his colleagues recognize the unique value of the human voice. “When you think of the greatest actors, like Viola Davis, Christopher Walken, and Morgan Freeman, it’s not just their acting ability. It’s their voice,” Meyer emphasized. “If you believe that your likeness is worth more than a paycheck, then you have to stick by that.”
