FVAI Vol #19

I never thought I'd be excited about a deceased announcer's voice returning to NBA broadcasts. Yet here we are, with NBC Sports planning to use an AI-generated voice of Jim Fagan, who passed away in 2017, for their upcoming NBA coverage.

What makes this different from other AI voice controversies? One simple factor: family consent.

The network worked directly with Fagan's family, securing not just their permission but their enthusiastic participation. His daughters even expressed gratitude that NBC Sports had "the vision to honor our father's legacy in such a meaningful way," according to TechRadar.

This stands in stark contrast to other recent incidents. Just months ago, George Carlin's estate settled a lawsuit against a podcast that used AI to impersonate the late comedian without permission. The legal and ethical boundaries couldn't be clearer.

As someone deeply interested in how AI voice technology can preserve family stories, I see both warning and promise in these developments.

When AI Voice Preservation Becomes Personal

The controversy around NBC's decision reveals something important: AI voice technology isn't inherently problematic. It's how we use it that matters.

With proper consent and family involvement, AI voice preservation transforms from a potential ethical minefield into something beautiful. It becomes a way to extend legacy and maintain connection.

This is precisely why family permission must be the foundation of any voice preservation project. Without it, we risk exploitation rather than celebration.

The technology that allows NBC Sports to bring back Fagan's distinctive voice for basketball broadcasts is the same technology that can help everyday families preserve their own stories and voices.

Beyond Broadcasting: Family Legacy Applications

While NBC is using this technology for entertainment and nostalgia, the real potential lies in personal applications.

Imagine preserving a grandparent's voice telling family stories that can be shared with generations who never got to meet them. Or creating an interactive family tree where relatives' voices guide you through your heritage.

These applications don't require a broadcasting budget or technical expertise. They simply need the right approach to this powerful technology.

What NBC Sports has done, essentially, is demonstrate that with proper permission and respect, AI voice technology can honor legacy rather than exploit it.

The Ethical Framework That Makes It Work

The Fagan family's enthusiastic participation highlights three principles that should guide all AI voice preservation:

First, explicit consent from either the individual or their family is non-negotiable.

Second, the purpose should be to honor and preserve, not to manipulate or exploit.

Third, the technology should serve human connection, not replace it.

When these principles are followed, AI voice technology becomes something remarkable: a tool for maintaining connections across time and generations.

NBC's approach shows that even large media companies can navigate these waters ethically when they prioritize family wishes and proper consent.

For everyday families interested in preserving their own voices and stories, the lesson is clear: with the right approach, this technology can be a powerful tool for keeping family legacy alive.

As AI voice technology becomes more accessible, the question isn't whether we should use it, but how we can use it respectfully to strengthen family connections and preserve the stories that matter most.

I want to call my grandfather again.

Not just hear recordings of his voice.

But ask him the questions I never thought to ask.

The Salvador Dalí Museum just made this possible for everyone to do with none other than the man himself.

They launched an AI that lets anyone call and speak with Dalí himself.

70,000 conversations have already happened.

Some will call this unnatural.

I call it revolutionary.

Your descendants shouldn't have to wonder what your voice sounded like.

Or what stories you might have told.

They should be able to call you and ask.

Family stories matter.

They tell us who we are. Where we come from. What shaped our lineage.

The future of family legacy is here.

And it starts with a simple phone call.

Family Voices AI YouTube Channel

A lot of people ask us: Why the circular tree? 

Our answer: Because it reflects the circles in the world around us: atoms, planets galaxies.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here: FamilyVoicesAI YouTube

Turn Chat GPT on yourself!

This is what came back for me.

Recurring stories you tell:

• Discovering hidden sides of people you thought you fully knew (like your father’s secret Trump vote)

• Exploring contradictions between identity and perception (e.g., your complicated relationship with Dave Chappelle’s comedy in light of your son’s queer identity)

• Challenging assumed narratives, including your own

• Holding space for nuance instead of black-and-white thinking

• Building bridges between what is seen and what is hidden (or overlooked)—whether in family, society, or self

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