Karnataka–ElevenLabs Pact Explores Kannada Voice Restoration and AI Safety
Bengaluru: People who have lost the ability to speak could regain a synthetic version of their own voice, including in Kannada, under a new Karnataka–ElevenLabs partnership that will also explore safeguards against voice-cloning fraud.
The state’s Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology has signed an MoU with the global Voice AI company to explore applications in governance, AI safety and voice restoration, minister Priyank Kharge said on October 6.
Voice restoration and public services
Kharge said eligible people would be able to communicate using a synthetic version of their own voice, with free lifetime licences under ElevenLabs’ programme. The initiative includes support for Kannada.
The partnership will explore Voice AI for helplines, grievance redressal and easier access to government services. These are proposed areas of work under the agreement.
Safeguards against misuse
Kharge said the collaboration would help strengthen Karnataka’s Responsible AI framework, including safeguards against deepfakes, unauthorised voice cloning, fraud and impersonation.
He described the agreement as a step towards using AI for public benefit while adopting the technology responsibly.
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