Scarlett Johansson Slams AI Video Against Kanye West: ‘We Must Call Out The Misuse’

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Recently, Kanye West has found himself in the spotlight once more due to controversial comments directed at Jewish people. In a series of posts on social media platform X, he expressed antisemitic views and made remarks about the #MeToo movement, Sean Combs, among other topics. After these posts were published (and subsequently deleted), an AI-generated video has been circulating, featuring Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities advocating against West’s actions. Now, Johansson herself has responded to the situation.

The video, popularized on X, displays digitally created Jewish stars against a black-and-white backdrop, where individuals wearing Kanye’s name and a hand (with a Star of David at its center) prominently displaying the middle finger are depicted. Notable figures such as David Schwimmer, Jerry Seinfeld, Natalie Portman, and Drake are featured in this clip. Interestingly, Scarlett Johansson is the main focus. In response to the public, Johansson expressed solidarity with the Jewish community but criticized the application of AI in this context, as reported by People magazine.

It has been pointed out to me by relatives and acquaintances that a video made using AI technology depicting my likeness, in reaction to an antisemitic statement, is being shared widely on the internet. As a Jewish woman, I have zero tolerance for antisemitism or any form of hate speech. However, I am deeply concerned about the increased danger of hate speech amplified by AI. It’s crucial that we address the misuse of AI in all its forms to preserve our grasp on reality and prevent it from causing further harm.

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Hollywood has sparked debate among industry insiders over the past few years, as studios consider using AI for film and television production. Some actors, such as Nicolas Cage, have expressed fear about this trend, citing their unease over someone owning their likeness. Others like Ashton Kutcher have supported the use of this technology, with his views on its potential going viral. The actress from Sing, however, still harbors reservations, particularly due to her personal encounters with AI.

Unfortunately, I’ve become a highly visible casualty of artificial intelligence, but it’s crucial to understand that this technology poses a threat that impacts us all. There’s an impending AI tsunami on the horizon, and some forward-thinking nations, excluding the United States, have taken steps to address this challenge responsibly.

In May 2024, the character of Black Widow found herself entangled in an artificial intelligence predicament. This was due to OpenAI creating a personal voice assistant that bore a striking resemblance to her voice. Upon learning this, her legal representatives demanded details on how the voice was created. Initially, CEO Sam Altman refuted any association, but eventually, the voice was removed from the assistant. However, it was later disclosed that the executive had contacted the actress months prior, proposing to utilize her voice for the assistant. In a recent statement, she also mentioned:

It’s alarming that the U.S. administration seems unable to enact laws safeguarding all its people from immediate AI threats.

More on A.I

That Time Google Quietly Edited Its AI Answer In Its Super Bowl Ad Because It Wasn’t Accurate

Currently, artificial intelligence is being employed in numerous applications beyond just entertainment industries. In fact, enthusiasts on social media platforms are utilizing AI as well. Sometimes, these fans work with large intellectual properties, and the resulting recreations or modifications can even prompt reactions from the original creators associated with specific franchises. For instance, in late 2024, director James Gunn criticized a fan-made poster that was created using AI for Superman. Similarly, actress Cynthia Erivo of Wicked fame condemned an altered poster that a fan had produced, labeling it as “the most extreme and offensive thing I have ever encountered.

Currently, it’s undecided if the video featuring Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities’ likenesses will be removed from the internet. It’s also important to mention that Kanye West, who shut down his X account, hasn’t commented on the footage yet.

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2025-02-12 18:39