"It makes me sad to think about it": Hank Azaria shares his concerns about AI replacing the iconic The Simpsons voice cast

Imagine a world where The Simpsons' Moe Szyslak’s grumpy sigh or Chief Wiggum’s clueless chuckle is no longer delivered by Hank Azaria but generated by lines of code. Creepy, right? That’s exactly the future Hank Azaria fears — and honestly, can we blame him?

With artificial intelligence sneaking into every creative industry, it’s only a matter of time before we ask: How far is too far? AI can be a game-changer when used ethically, but the idea of it replacing human voices — voices shaped by years of lived experience — hits differently. Azaria, who’s been the voice behind The Simpsons’ most iconic characters for nearly 40 years, is sounding the alarm.

“AI will be able to recreate the sounds of the more than 100 voices I created for characters on The Simpsons over almost four decades. It makes me sad to think about it. Not to mention, it seems just plain wrong to steal my likeness or sound — or anyone else’s,” Azaria said.

And if you thought Moe was just a one-note grumpy bartender, think again.

“In my case, AI could have access to 36 years of Moe, the permanently disgruntled bartender. He’s appeared in just about every episode of The Simpsons. He’s been terrified, in love, hit in the head and, most often, in a state of bitter hatred. I’ve laughed as Moe in dozens of ways by now. I’ve probably sighed as Moe 100 times. In terms of training AI, that’s a lot to work with,” he explained.

Honestly, how do you program decades of lived emotion? The joy, the rage, the bitter disappointment of being Moe Szyslak?

What’s really at stake here? Will it stop with The Simpsons? (Spoiler: It won't.)

This isn’t just about one actor’s fear of being replaced — it’s a much bigger conversation about creativity, humanity, and the ever-growing pressure on studios to cut costs at any expense. Let’s face it: studios love a good shortcut. AI promises convenience, efficiency, and — let’s not forget — the chance to save a ton of money by not hiring actual humans. But at what cost?

Think about the countless hours voice actors spend perfecting every laugh, every pause, every sigh. It’s not just a voice; it’s storytelling. Azaria’s Moe isn’t just a cranky bartender — he’s a full emotional spectrum compressed into 20-minute episodes. An AI might replicate the sound, but can it capture the soul?

Where do we draw the line?

The ethical dilemma of AI isn’t just a tech problem — it’s a creative one. As much as we love futuristic tools, there’s something irreplaceable about human touch, especially in art. Voice acting isn’t just about delivering lines; it’s about life experiences — heartbreak, love, frustration — all bundled into a voice that resonates. Can AI truly understand that?

Maybe it’s time to rethink how we use AI, not as a replacement but as a tool to enhance creativity. Because if we lose the voices that made us laugh, cry, and occasionally cringe for decades, what’s next?