Tom Hanks shares surprising take on AI recreating his voice

Tom Hanks hinted at the possibility of Toy Story 6, noting that he thinks Disney could use AI to recreate Woody's voice.

​The 69-year-old actor, who has been part of the Toy Story franchise for 30 years and recently lent his voice once again for the cowboy character in Toy Story 5, believes that the latest technology could be used to mimic his voice in future projects.

​"Time is undefeated. The question would be whether or not we could cobble together some version of me," Tom told Entertainment Weekly. "Every word we have ever recorded in time on Toy Story is on digital media somewhere, so they could put together anything they would want."

​But the A Man Called Otto actor requested that the next Toy Story flick should only be made if it's going to be "worthwhile".

​"It better be great. You better be examining some theme that is not just dragging it out because people like the title," Tom suggested. "I mean, it is a huge corporate business without a doubt, I'm not gonna discount that. But unless it's good, new, fresh, there's no reason to do it at all."

​The Forrest Gump star has also previously spoken in favor of AI and how it may benefit artists even after their deaths.

​Tom said, "Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but performances can go on and on and on and on."

​He continued, "Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me and me alone. And it's going to have some degree of lifelike quality. That's certainly an artistic challenge but it's also a legal one."