HYBE’s New AI Project Hit With Massive Backlash

HYBE has announced a new AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based project.

[기사] "내 목소리가 캐릭터 음성으로"…수퍼톤 '시프트', 오픈 베타 시작https://t.co/YGq4q4pAvO

— HYBE OFFICIAL (@HYBEOFFICIALtwt) April 16, 2024

The article reveals information about HYBE’s AI audio subsidiary, Supertone. It announced the global open beta launch of an AI-based real-time voice conversion service, Supertone Shift.

SuperTone first introduced Shift in a closed beta format at the B2B booth of the international game exhibition ‘G-STAR 2023’ held at BEXCO in Busan last November. At that time, Shift received significant attention from major domestic and international media and continued to attract interest with the visits of attendees.

— Newsis

Shift can be used in various forms of content. This includes movies, games, virtual streamers, etc.

Shift is a solution developed by SuperTone to support content creation and creators and increase work convenience. By selecting one of the 10 character voices embedded in Shift, users can instantly broadcast their voice in the character’s voice as soon as they speak.

— Newsis

The open beta version is available for free to download via the Supertone website. The official version will be launched after June 26.

The primary goal of this open beta is to collect various opinions to make Shift easily accessible to production companies and creators. In the official version, we plan to expand the number of voice samples and add more features useful for content creation, making Shift the optimal voice creation tool for all.

— Supertone CEO Lee Kyo Gu

Shift is out now! Starting today, Supertone Shift is available for beta testing. Download now: https://t.co/nq8JgznxDJ

With Supertone Shift, you can seamlessly shift to another identity and expand your content possibilities using its real-time voice conversion technology.… pic.twitter.com/7y5PALMMXF

— Supertone (@Supertone_ai) March 27, 2024

By utilizing SuperTone’s self-developed voice synthesis foundation model NANSY (Neural Analysis & Synthesis), Shift analyzes the user’s voice for just ten seconds into four components: tone, pronunciation, pitch, and emphasis. It can convert the user into a game character’s voice with little delay and is customizable. The conversion delay has been reduced to 47 milliseconds so that voice transmission can occur in real time.

For voice analysis, users can start voice conversion to the selected character immediately by reading a sample script provided by Shift for about 10 seconds. Customization is also possible. Shift is equipped with technology tools that allow users to freely create voices tailored to their preferences or purposes by finely adjusting voice composition elements such as the mixing ratio between user and character voices, expression level of emotions, and pitch.

— Newsis

Netizens flooded HYBE’s post on X (formerly Twitter). They voiced their disgust over the announcement, as many fans are anti-AI.

Many are also continuing to speak up against HYBE America CEO Scooter Braun. Some fans have boycotted HYBE due to ties to Zionism and now partnership with UMG (Universal Music Group).

Additionally, ARMYs remembered that BTS members, such as RM, are anti-AI. In his song “All Day,” featuring Epik High‘s Tablo, he sang, “F*ck the AI, f*ck the algorithm.”

Fuck AI and fuck Hybe. https://t.co/9SjCjVEPjW pic.twitter.com/6rm8h7GfOF

— T ~ ژن ژیان ئازادی (@hxrdlyrkived) April 16, 2024

K-Pop fans are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of HYBE as the company continues to involve itself with problematic ventures.

"HYBE is destroying kpop" indeed. every fan should be concerned about what data they used to train this ai voice btw. Every single HYBE fandom should be demanding transparency about this. #하이브는시오니스트를퇴출하라#HybeDivestFromZionism https://t.co/Un3OwWZE6D

— nisee is a 빛⁷✿ ARTISTS FOR PALESTINE (@smol_bbybean) April 16, 2024

this is actually ridiculous hybe cant afford to produce good vocals anymore so they're giving up and choose an AI route. what else next, promoting crypto + nft? or maybe gambling site? https://t.co/9yxzCdcmXR

— ʲᵉʲᵉᵉ | 플레이브신기 ♡ (@plaveshinki) April 16, 2024

Recently, ARMYs expressed their outrage over the new BTS K-Drama, which was released via a blockchain-based platform. Read more below.

HYBE Under Fire As BTS K-Drama “Begins ≠ Youth” Costs Over $90 To Watch