"Own yourself." That is the advice Matthew McConaughey recently gave to actors navigating the incoming wave of artificial intelligence. But in 2026, it isn't just actors who need to worry about AI replicas—it is the founders and leaders of growing businesses, too.

In this episode of Letters of Intent, Pankaj Raval and Sahil Chaudry break down the rapidly shifting legal landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in the era of AI. They explore whether you can actually trademark a distinctive voice, how state "Right of Publicity" laws provide vital protections, and the specific red flags to look for in AI licensing contracts (hint: never sign anything "in perpetuity"). Finally, Pankaj and Sahil discuss the controversial trend of "Automated CEOs" and why true leadership, context, and agency can never be replicated by a chatbot.

Takeaways

• Trademarking a Voice: While difficult, a voice can be protected as a trademark if it acts as a unique source identifier (distinctive) and is actively used to sell goods or services (used in commerce).
• Right of Publicity is Your Best Friend: If copyright and trademark claims fall short, the "Right of Publicity"—especially strong in states like California—protects individuals from having their likeness commercially exploited without consent.
• Contract Red Flags: If a company wants to train an AI on your likeness, you must control the usage rights. Ensure your license terminates when the contract ends, restrict what industries your avatar can promote, and beware of hidden exclusivity clauses.
• The "Automated CEO" Problem: Cloning an executive's voice and mannerisms might save time, but it destroys trust. Employees follow human leaders for their life context, intuition, and agency—things an AI cannot duplicate.

Soundbites

• "Get own yourself... So when and if when it comes, not if it comes, no one can steal you, but they're have to come to you to go, can I or they're gonna be in breach." (Matthew McConaughey)
• "Fundamentally, a trademark is a source identifier. And one great way to identify someone is by their voice."
• "You might be terminating your right to receive payments, but they still have your intellectual property that can still run."
• "Your employees are going to call bullshit on that, I think pretty quickly. Like if you don't have the time to show up for your company or your for employees, is it really going to have the same effect?"

Keywords
AI Replicas, Name Image Likeness Law, Trademarking Your Voice, Right of Publicity, AI Licensing Contracts, Intellectual Property Protection, Artificial Intelligence Law, AI Automation, AI CEO, Business Strategy, Scaling Businesses, Founders, Corporate Law, Corporate Contract Negotiation, Matthew McConaughey AI, Carbon Law Group, Letters of Intent Podcast

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Website: carbonlg.com

Connect with Pankaj: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pankaj-raval/

Connect with Sahil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahil-chaudry-6047305/

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