All products
Zelda Williams Speaks Out Against Deepfakes of Her Late Father
Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, has recently expressed her dismay and frustration over the creation and sharing of deepfake videos featuring her father. In a post on her Instagram story, she pleaded with fans to stop sending her these AI-generated videos, stating that they are “dumb, a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want.”
The timing of her post coincides with the release of OpenAI’s Sora 2 video model and Sora social app, which allows users to generate highly realistic deepfakes of themselves, their friends, and certain cartoon characters, including deceased individuals like Robin Williams. According to the Student Press Law Center, it is not illegal to libel the deceased, which may contribute to the proliferation of these deepfakes.
OpenAI’s Stance on Deepfaking the Deceased
OpenAI’s Sora app has been flooded with videos of historical figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon, as well as deceased celebrities like Bob Ross, John Lennon, and Alex Trebek. However, the company’s approach to generating videos of the dead is unclear, and it did not respond to requests for comment on the permissibility of deepfaking deceased individuals. While legal precedent suggests that the company may not be held liable for the defamation of the deceased, this does not necessarily mean that it is acceptable to create and share these deepfakes.
The Implications of Deepfaking the Deceased
Zelda Williams’ statement highlights the concerns surrounding the creation and sharing of deepfakes, particularly when it comes to deceased individuals. The reduction of a person’s legacy to a “vaguely looks and sounds like them” deepfake can be seen as disrespectful and dismissive of their actual work and achievements. Furthermore, the use of deepfakes can have serious implications for the loved ones of the deceased, who may find these creations to be distressing or upsetting.
Conclusion
The issue of deepfaking the deceased raises important questions about respect, consent, and the potential consequences of creating and sharing these AI-generated videos. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the impact of our actions on others and to prioritize empathy and understanding. For more information on this topic, you can read the full article Image Credit: techcrunch.com