Scotrail to replace controversial AI announcer

Scotrail is set to change its controversial AI train announcer following a row with a voiceover artist.  

The system, known as ‘Iona’, replaced pre-recorded human announcements on some services.  

Scotrail received significant backlash for the AI-powered system after Scottish artist Gayanne Potter’s said her voice had been used as a basis without her consent.

The recordings had been provided by Swedish company ReadSpeaker, for whom Potter had done a recording in 2021.  

However, she believed the recording would be used to train accessibility and e-learning software but was unaware her contract allowed her voice to be sold for AI purposes years later. 

Initially, Scotrail did not plan to replace the computer-generated train announcer, claiming Potter should resolve the issue directly with the foreign company. 

But now, as reported by the Mail on Sunday, Transport Scotland has announced Scotrail will make the change in response to concerns from passengers and ministers.  

Freedom of Information responses obtained by the newspaper showed 78 members of the public have complained to Scotrail over its use of AI. 

Others had turned to social media to voice their opposition to the system, writing that it sounded “weird” and “unnatural”. 

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "While subcontracts are a matter for Scotrail, this issue was raised directly with ministers, both in correspondence and in parliament, therefore it is entirely normal that information on the subject was provided to them. 

"Our understanding is that Scotrail is working to make changes to the system, and this includes implementing an alternative ‘voice’ as soon as practicable."