Google has replaced the voice of its Maps service in Poland, radio journalist and voiceover artist Jarosław Juszkiewicz, ending a 15-year collaboration in favor of an AI-generated alternative.
In 2020, Juszkiewicz’s voice in the app was replaced by Google Assistant’s speech synthesiser, but, after protests from Google users, the familiar voice was restored in the app.
Now, however, the decision seems final. Despite significant media coverage, Google Polska said only that the team responsible for Google Maps is “constantly working on the development of the application and the user experience”.
Riival application driver assistant Yanosik snapped up the opportunity to declare that it would keep Juszkiewicz’s voice on the app – causing an 8% increase in their usage.
What’s more, state-owned petrol giant Orlen has announced a partnership for marketing campaigns with Juszkiewicz as a response to his recent firing. Juszkiewicz has already lent his voice to radio adverts, advertising recruitment for Orlen’s sponsorship program for amateur sports clubs.
“Artificial intelligence is sweeping through the world of human voice work like a giant steamroller. And I can, in my own human voice, say, probably for the last time: ‘Smile and head south’,” said Juszkiewicz.
All in all, Google’s error led to good publicity for him, and proof that people still value human authenticity, particularly when it involves a known figure’s consistency in their minds.
Recently, Radio Kraków launched a channel run almost entirely by artificial intelligence, including AI presenters, after ending cooperation with staff that had previously run it. But it was met with such public disapproval that the project was ended after less than a week on the air, despite initially being scheduled to last for three months.
Radio Kraków said in response that the project had been a “success”, saying that it had always been intended as a way to spark debate about the role of AI in the media.
Vodafone and Digi sign MoU to acquire Telekom Romania Mobile
