Scarlett Johansson is urging the U.S. government to regulate AI following the spread of a deepfake video featuring her likeness in a campaign against Kanye West’s antisemitic views. The AI-generated video, which quickly went viral on social media platforms like Instagram, shows several celebrities, including Johansson, Drake, Natalie Portman, Steven Spielberg, Sam Altman, and Woody Allen, wearing a white T-shirt with a cartoon middle finger bearing a Star of David. The finger hovers over the word “KANYE.”
This video emerged as a response to West’s controversial Super Bowl stunt, where the rapper purchased advertising space to promote his personal website. Following the ad, West transformed the site into a storefront selling a white T-shirt emblazoned with a swastika. Shopify subsequently removed the storefront.
Deepfake Technology Raises Concerns
While initially appearing authentic, the AI-generated video exhibits telltale signs of manipulation, including mismatched bodies and faces, younger versions of celebrities, and noticeable digital artifacts. Johansson expressed her distress in a statement to People magazine, emphasizing her Jewish heritage and her zero tolerance for antisemitism and hate speech. She highlighted the alarming potential of AI to amplify hate speech, posing a far greater threat than any individual taking responsibility for such actions. Johansson urged for the condemnation of AI misuse, regardless of the message, to prevent a distortion of reality.
Johansson’s Previous Experiences with AI
The actress revealed she had been a victim of AI misuse before, citing a reckoning she believes the U.S. is overlooking. She expressed concern over the government’s inaction in passing legislation to protect citizens from the potential dangers of AI. Johansson, who voiced an advanced AI chatbot in the 2013 film Her, claimed Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, had persistently sought her voice for ChatGPT. She alleges she declined, yet a voice suspiciously similar to hers appeared in an early version of the voiced ChatGPT model, leading to a lawsuit. OpenAI subsequently removed the voice.
Call for Legislative Action
In her statement to People, Johansson reiterated her appeal to the U.S. government to prioritize legislation limiting AI use. She stressed the bipartisan nature of this issue, highlighting its significant impact on humanity’s immediate future. The video’s creator, Ori Bejerano, a self-proclaimed “Generative AI Expert” and employee at the Tel Aviv-based ad agency Gitam BBDO, has not removed the video and is seemingly celebrating its viral success. Bejerano’s Instagram account contains other AI-generated content, including depictions of himself as an astronaut, a Roman bust, and Superman. One disturbing video shows Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir watching Teletubbies and envisioning Donald Trump transforming Gaza into Disneyland.
The Future of AI Regulation
Johansson’s call for AI regulation underscores the growing need for legislative action to address the ethical and societal implications of this technology. As deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, the potential for misuse and manipulation poses a significant threat to individuals and society as a whole. Addressing these concerns through legislative measures is crucial to mitigate the risks and ensure responsible AI development and deployment.
