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Greetings Tech Nomads,

Today we are looking at: The Attack of the AI Clones

TL;DR: AI “clones” can now create full videos using your face and voice, and the scary part—they’re getting really good at it.

We’ve entered Episode II of our AI slop saga—The Attack of the Clones. Not lightsabers and Jedi, but programs like Synthesia and HeyGen that can turn your photo or short video (2 minutes or more) into a talking digital version of you. These tools use machine learning to copy your voice, lip-sync your words, and make a virtual presenter out of thin air.

When I first tried them, these clones were awkward. The voice sounded tinny, and the movements were jerky—think early video game cutscenes. But the latest versions have come a long way. The voices line up almost perfectly, and the facial sync looks lifelike. It’s wild, and maybe a little unsettling.

You can create videos three ways: First, let the program generate everything—the script, your on-screen clone, and the final video. Second, paste your own script, and it’ll speak it back in your voice. Third—and my favorite—you record real audio of yourself, and the clone lip-syncs to you. That last method keeps your personality but ditches the need for cameras, lighting, or makeup. Lazy genius at work!

Even the lower-tier HeyGen plans include API access (that’s Application Programming Interface, for my newer readers). APIs are the secret sauce—tiny digital doorways that let you automate tasks. Want to auto-generate your daily update videos? The clone can handle it without you hitting “record.”

Why it matters: AI clones are both a time-saver and a warning flag. They show how easy it’s becoming to automate “you.” Used wisely, they can grow your reach. Used carelessly, they can flood the web with—yep, you guessed it—more AI slop.

Be seeing you…