Scarlett Johansson is urging US lawmakers to establish clear regulations for artificial intelligence after an Israeli-produced deepfake video featuring her and other celebrities circulated widely on social media. According to CNN, the actress is condemning antisemitism and calling for legislation to protect the public from AI misuse following the incident.
The deepfake video depicts Johansson and other prominent figures, including Drake, Jerry Seinfeld, and Steven Spielberg, protesting rapper Ye's recent antisemitic rhetoric. As reported by NBC News, the video shows doctored clips of the celebrities wearing a white T-shirt featuring a hand giving the middle finger with the Star of David at the center and the word "KANYE" written underneath.
In a statement, Johansson expressed her concerns about the unregulated use of artificial intelligence. "It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends that an AI-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction," she said.
"I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind," she stated.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
She emphasized the dangers posed by AI technology in amplifying hate speech. "The potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it," Johansson stated.
The actress urged the US government to prioritize legislation limiting AI use. "I urge the United States government to make the approval of laws that limit the use of AI a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that greatly affects the immediate future of humanity as a whole," she said.
"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," she added.
This is not the first time Johansson has been a victim of AI misuse. In May 2024, she accused OpenAI's ChatGPT system, called Sky, of using a voice "eerily similar" to her own without her permission, leaving her feeling "angered" and "shocked."
Johansson has previously taken legal action against companies using her AI likeness without authorization. According to NBC News, she has been among a growing number of celebrities whose likenesses have been used without their knowledge or permission since the rise of accessible generative AI technology.
Johansson warned of the major threat improper use of artificial intelligence poses to the future of humanity. "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality," she stated, according to Business Insider.
The creators of the video, Israeli AI entrepreneurs Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano, confirmed to Business Insider that they are responsible for the clip. They defended their work as an "artistic and cultural statement" aimed at confronting rising antisemitism.
"We wanted to use their voices, so to speak, to tell Kanye West: 'Your antisemitism and incitement to violence have crossed every possible line. Enough is enough,'" Guy Bar told Business Insider.
Representatives for the other celebrities featured in the video have not publicly commented on the matter. According to The Independent, David Schwimmer, one of the celebrities depicted, had previously spoken out against Kanye West's antisemitic statements on social media.
The deepfake video has raised questions about the ethical implications of using AI to generate realistic images and videos of individuals without their consent.
In the US, there is currently no comprehensive legislation to regulate the development of AI.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.