Scarlett Johansson warns of “1000-foot AI wave” following viral deepfake
Scarlett Johansson has had enough of non-consensual videos and images created using artificial intelligence (AI) and is urging legislators to clamp down on unauthorized AI usage.
Image by Getty/NBC
Scarlett Johansson has had enough of non-consensual videos and images created using artificial intelligence (AI) and is urging legislators to clamp down on unauthorized AI usage.
A recent video of a bunch of celebrities clapping back at rapper Kanye West’s abhorrent ramblings against Jewish people has surfaced across social media.
Celebrities like Sacha Baron Cohen, Jack Black, Mark Zuckerberg, Scarlett Johansson, and others were seen wearing an unusual piece of clothing – a t-shirt with a drawing of a middle finger with the Star of David on the inside and the word Kanye below it.
The video spread across social media and soon went viral. Users on Instagram praised the handful of Jewish celebrities for this impromptu campaign against antisemitism, but these users obviously didn’t stop to read the fine print.
Under the video reads the statement: “This content was digitally created or altered using AI to seem real.”
This video was generated using AI, and the celebrities featured in it aren’t happy. One celebrity who has spoken out before, Scarlett Johansson, expressed her concerns surrounding the proliferation of nonconsensual deepfake content.
In a statement to People Magazine, the actress said, “We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”
"I have unfortunately been a very public victim of AI," Johansson told People.
"But the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us."
This may be in reference to the ‘Her’ star’s battle with ChatGPT maker OpenAI after netizens noticed that one of ChatGPT’s voices (Sky) sounded eerily similar to Johansson’s.
According to the award-winning actress, the US hasn’t responded appropriately to the “1000-foot wave” that is AI.
“It is terrifying that the US government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI,” Johansson said.
Johansson urged the government to pass legislation that limits the use of AI. “It’s a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large,” the actress concluded.