Scarlett Johansson Condemns AI-Generated Video Amid Kanye West Controversy, Calls for Stricter AI Regulation

Viral AI video depicts celebrities protesting Ye's antisemitic remarks

An AI-generated video depicting celebrities -- including Scarlett Johansson, Jerry Seinfeld and Adam Sandler -- protesting Ye's antisemitic comments has gone viral online, prompting criticism from Johansson over the "misuse of AI," regardless of its message. The video depicts more than a dozen celebrities wearing a T-shirt featuring a middle finger with a Star of David inside it and "Kanye" below, referring to Kanye West, who now goes by Ye. The black-and-white footage is set to an AI remix of the popular Jewish folk song "Hava Nagila." The video and audio were created and posted online by Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano, who work together at an AI company in Israel. Bar said the video -- which has amassed tens of thousands of views -- was made with multiple AI generators. Bar said the video was made in response to Ye's recent actions, including posting a flurry of antisemitic remarks on X and selling T-shirts on his website bearing a swastika. Ye's X account and website have since been taken down. Bar said he wanted the video to feature Jewish celebrities so they could send the message to Ye that "enough is enough." He said he has not been contacted by any of the celebrities whose likenesses are used in the video. Johansson, whose likeness is featured in the opening shot of the video, raised concerns about the video, calling it a "misuse of AI" as she called for regulatory legislation on AI. "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. I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. "But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality," Johansson said in a statement to CBS News. Johansson has been the target of AI-generated sex videos and was in a dispute last year with OpenAI after she said the company's ChatGPT text-to-speech product sounded "eerily similar" to her voice. "I have unfortunately been a very public victim of AI, but the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us," her statement said. "There is a 1000 foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. 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. "I urge the U.S. government to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large," Johansson said. When asked about Johansson's response to the celebrity protest video, Bar said he supports "responsible AI" and discussions on the ethical and legal impacts of the technology. Bar said the video was not made to "mislead or exploit anyone" but rather to start a conversation about the rise of hate speech. "Throughout history, art has been a tool for social change, and AI is simply a new medium that enables impactful storytelling," he said.

Is 'AI far greater threat' than Kanye West? Scarlett Johansson condemns AI video targeting rapper amid antisemitic controversy

Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities condemn an AI video that digitally manipulated their images to criticize Kanye West's antisemitic remarks. Johansson, emphasizing the dangers of AI misuse, calls for legislation on AI. The backlash against West includes criticisms from David Schwimmer and legal actions due to his offensive rhetoric and actions. The video, which rapidly gained traction online, features Hollywood stars seemingly wearing white T-shirts adorned with the Star of David and a raised middle finger above the word "KANYE." The clip ends with bold statements: "Enough is Enough" and "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism." The video was meant to criticize West -- who now goes by Ye -- following his four-day antisemitic rant on Twitter that ultimately led to his account being deactivated. However, Johansson and several other celebrities whose images were manipulated without consent have condemned the clip. Among those depicted in the video were Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Black, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer. Schwimmer also publicly denounced Ye's hate speech and called on Twitter owner Elon Musk to intervene. In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Johansson addressed the use of her AI-generated likeness. "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. The 40-year-old actress, who is Jewish, condemned both antisemitism and the broader threat posed by AI manipulation. "I have no tolerance for antisemitism or racism of any kind, but AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it," she warned. "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality," Johansson continued. "There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI." Ye's online outburst began with several inflammatory tweets, including "I love Hitler" and "I'm a Nazi." He also posted, "I'm never apologizing for my Jewish comments." His offensive rhetoric wasn't limited to social media. West's Yeezy brand launched a white T-shirt featuring a swastika, advertised in a Super Bowl commercial. Shopify quickly shut down his site for violating company policies, and Ye was subsequently dropped by his talent agency, 33&West, for his "harmful and hateful remarks." David Schwimmer, who was also depicted in the AI video, took to social media to lambast West's actions. "This is so 2022. We can't stop a deranged bigot from spewing hate-filled, ignorant bile... but we CAN stop giving him a megaphone, Mr. Musk," he wrote, calling out Elon Musk for not taking faster action. "Ye's sick hate speech results in REAL LIFE violence against Jews." Isla Fisher, another celebrity portrayed in the manipulated video, also spoke out against West. "Hey friends, can you please unfollow Kanye? Did you know this is the only thing for sale on his website after placing a Super Bowl commercial? F*** this monster forever. No tolerance for this s***," she posted. Musk eventually labeled Ye's Twitter account as "NSFW" (Not Safe for Work) after Ye spammed his feed with pornographic content before being permanently banned from the platform. Ye is now facing additional legal trouble. A former Yeezy employee has reportedly filed a lawsuit against him, citing antisemitic and sexist comments sent via text, including messages like "I Am A NAZI" and "Hail Hitler." While the video aimed to protest Ye's actions, Johansson's criticism underscores a broader conversation about the ethical use of AI in digital media. With deepfakes becoming more sophisticated, concerns about manipulation and consent are growing -- and the recent controversy surrounding Ye may be just the beginning of a much larger debate.

Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out After AI Video Of Her Condemning Kanye West Goes Viral

The actor, who appeared in the video, emphasized the importance of regulating artificial intelligence to prevent the misuse of celebrity images. Scarlett Johansson is speaking out after an apparently AI-altered video of herself and fellow celebrities Drake, Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler and others protesting Kanye West's antisemitism went viral. In the clip, which has been making the rounds on social media, the celebs are seen wearing T-shirts featuring a hand with its middle finger extended and the name "Kanye" written beneath it (the rapper now goes by "Ye"). The hand has a Star of David inside it. At the end of the footage, an image of Adam Sandler sticks his middle finger up at the camera before the video ends with the messages: "Enough is Enough" and "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism." It is unclear who created the video and whether they obtained permission from any of the celebrities to use their likenesses in the clip -- although that seems unlikely, considering Johansson's pushback. On Wednesday, Johansson said she's been a "very public victim of AI" while calling out its misuse in a lengthy statement. "I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind," the actor told People. "But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it." The Marvel star added, "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." Last year, the actor said she was "angered" and "shocked" after OpenAI used a voice that was "eerily similar" to hers for its GPT-4o voice-enabled chatbot despite Johansson declining the company's request to use her voice. "The threat of AI affects each and every one of us," Johansson continued. "There is a 1000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner," she continued. "It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI." The "Jurassic World Rebirth" actor wrapped up her message by pleading with the U.S. government to pass legislation to limit the use of artificial intelligence. "I urge the U.S. government to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large," she added. The AI video of celebrities started circulating after Ye's latest antisemitic rant. The rapper was consequently dropped by his talent manager, and his X profile also was deactivated. Shopify also shut down Ye's brand's e-commerce website after it sold shirts with swastikas on them following his bizarre Super Bowl ad, which aired on Feb. 9 and directed viewers to purchase the shirts.

After a fake video of Jewish celebrities opposing Kanye West goes viral, Scarlett Johansson wants tougher regulations on AI

As soon as Kanye West got back onto Twitter/X, he went on a rampage, spouting a whole host of nonsense, racism, anti-Semitism, and more, which prompted one user to make an AI-generated video hoping to combat West's sentiments. The video, which has circulated online, features Scarlett Johansson, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron-Cohen, Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as many other Jewish celebrities wearing a t-shirt with a middle finger, a star of David, and the name Kanye underneath. In a statement to People, Johansson denounced the video, saying that it is a "misuse of AI." "It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends, that an A.I.-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction. I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by A.I. is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of A.I., no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality." Johansson continued that she specifically has been the target of AI videos and pictures in the past, but that the technology can affect everyone. "There is a 1000-foot wave coming regarding A.I. that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of A.I," she added. What do you think of the use of celebrity likenesses in AI?

Scarlett Johansson warns of dangers of AI after Kanye West deepfake goes viral

Short film falsely depicts actor and other Jewish celebrities opposing recent antisemitic remarks from pop star Scarlett Johansson has warned of the "imminent dangers of AI" after a deepfake video of her and other prominent Jewish celebrities opposing recent antisemitic remarks from Kanye West went viral this week. The video contained AI-generated versions of more than a dozen celebrities, including Johansson, David Schwimmer, Jerry Seinfeld, Drake, Adam Sandler, Stephen Spielberg, and Mila Kunis. It opened with a deepfake likeness of Johansson in a T-shirt that was emblazoned with a hand and middle finger extended, a Star of David and the name Kanye. The video was set to "Hava Nagila", a Jewish folk song that is typically played at celebratory cultural events, and ended with the slogan: "Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism". Other stars depicted included Sacha Baron Cohen, Jack Black, Natalie Portman, Adam Levine, Ben Stiller, and Lenny Kravitz. "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," Johansson said in a statement to People. "I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality." West, now known as Ye, repeatedly referred to himself as a "Nazi" and praised Hitler on X before deactivating his account. He also appeared in an advert during the Super Bowl directing people to his website, which started selling only one product - T-shirts with swastikas on them. The site was later taken down by Shopify due to policy violations, while Fox Television Stations CEO, Jack Abernethy, also condemned the ad in a note to staff. Johansson has been one of the most vocal celebrities against the use of AI without consent. Last year she threatened legal action against OpenAI after the company used a voice resembling her own in its new ChatGPT product - nine months after she said she turned down the company's request to voice their AI system. OpenAI eventually removed the heavily promoted voice option from ChatGPT after a widespread reaction. Johansson said she had been "a very public victim of AI, but the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us". She added: "There is a 1,000 foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the US government is paralysed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI." The actor urged elected officials to take legislative action against AI abuses, calling it a "bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large". Her comments come as the UK's Advertising Standards Authority said fake adverts featuring celebrities remain the most common type of scam adverts appearing online. The AI video was created by Ori Bejerano, who describes himself as a generative AI expert on his Instagram bio. His original post included a notice that said the content was "digitally created or altered with AI to seem real".

AI celebs insult Kanye West in Israeli video; Scarlett Johansson critici

"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 wrote. 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 ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Lin Grosman‎‏ (@‏‎linsphotostudio‎‏)‎‏ 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. Stay updated with the latest news! Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter Subscribe Now 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.

Scarlett Johansson calls out the 'misuse of AI' after being deepfaked

The deepfake video featured AI-generated versions of Jewish celebrities wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the Star of David, a hand giving the middle finger and Kanye West's name. Scarlett Johansson has warned of the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) after a deepfake video, featuring the actress alongside other prominent Jewish celebrities protesting against Kanye 'Ye' West's recent antisemitic tirade, began circulating online. The video featured more than a dozen AI-generated versions of celebrities, including Stephen Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Drake, David Schwimmer and Adam Sandler, each wearing t-shirts showing the Star of David alongside a hand giving the middle finger and West's name. "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," Johansson said in a statement to People magazine. "I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality." The fake video also depicted Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Adam Levine and Lenny Kravitz, ending with the slogan: "Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism." West, now known as Ye, was dropped by his talent agency after posting a series of antisemitic rants on the social media platform X, in which he said: "I'm a Nazi ... I love Hitler." During a 30-second Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, West also directed audiences to his 'Yeezy' fashion website that was selling t-shirts emblazoned with a swastika. The retail platform Shopify has since taken the website down for violating policies, while Fox Television Stations CEO, Jack Abernethy, condemned the ad in a note to staff. "The ad, which was presented as a legitimate online apparel site before and during the airing of the Super Bowl, was switched at some point afterwards, and completely outside of our stations' control respondents to the commercials were redirected toward the marketing of a wholly appalling product," Abernethy said, in a report obtained by Variety. It was also reported on Tuesday that West is being sued by a former Jewish employee for alleged wrongful termination, along with gender and religious discrimination. This is not the first time the 40-year-old actress has been vocal about the misuse and potential dangers of non-consensual AI. Last year, Johansson began an online feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman after his company used a voice resembling hers for their ChatGPT-4o model - despite the fact she had previously turned down their requests to do it. "Before we could connect, the system was out there," she said in an interview with the New York Times, also calling deepfake technology a "dark wormhole you can never climb your way out of." She added: "Once you try to take something down in one area, it pops up somewhere else. There are other countries that have different legislation and rules. If your ex-partner is putting out revenge, deepfake porn, your whole life can be completely ruined." The deepfake Kanye West protest video was created by Ori Bejerano and Guy Bar, two digital marketers for the Israel-based agency Gitam BBDO. It adds to ongoing and increasingly complex conversations about AI's impact on Hollywood, with Oscar nominated films The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez recently courting controversy for their use of the technology.

Scarlett Johansson Disgusted by AI-Generated Video of Her Condemning Kanye West

Instead of being allowed to condemn Kanye West's brazen anti-Semitism herself, Scarlett Johansson had words put in her mouth by AI -- and now, she's once again calling out the technology. As The Hill reports, the "Lost in Translation" actress is affronted that an anonymously-created AI-generated video that went viral condemning West for his increasingly bizarre pro-Nazi posts, was made in the first place. "I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind," the 40-year-old A-Lister said in a statement. "But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it." "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging," she continued, "or we risk losing a hold on reality." Unfortunately, Johansson is all too familiar with the dangers presented by this burgeoning technology. Towards the end of 2023, the "Black Widow" star accused OpenAI of cloning her voice -- which she used in her inimitable performance of an AI in 2013's "Her" -- without her consent. Not long after, she said the company had asked her to use her voice, and even though she declined, OpenAI went forward with using "Sky," an eerily similar-sounding voice assistant, anyway. "I was shocked, angered, and in disbelief that [OpenAI CEO Sam Altman] would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine," Johannson wrote in a May 2024 statement, "that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference." After the actress threatened legal action, Altman ultimately "paused" the Sky voice "out of respect." Soon after, a forensic analysis found that Johannson's voice and Sky's showed overwhelming similarities, which likely would formed a strong case had the thespian pursued it. With that fiasco nearly forgotten, Johannson has once again been subjected to AI using her likeness without her consent. Unfortunately, it will probably happen again -- unless these sorts of things become punishable by law.

Scarlett Johansson Urges AI Guardrails After She's Shown in Fake Anti-Ye Video

Samantha Kelly is a freelance writer with a focus on consumer technology, AI, social media, Big Tech, emerging trends and how they impact our everyday lives. Her work has been featured on CNN, NBC, NPR, the BBC, Mashable and more. Scarlett Johansson is intensifying her call for artificial intelligence regulations, warning that improper use poses a major threat to the "immediate future of humanity at large." The actress is urging US lawmakers to establish clear guardrails after a video featuring her likeness, along with other celebrities, went viral in opposition to rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Deepfakes are created using audio and visual samples of real people to create realistic-looking photos and videos, and they're easier to make and more convincing than ever thanks to AI. This deepfake video depicted AI-generated Jewish celebrities, including Jerry Seinfeld, Drake, Mila Kunis and Adam Sandler, wearing an anti-Kanye West t-shirt displaying the image of a middle finger and a Jewish star. It's unknown as of now who created the video, but it was likely made without any of the stars' permission. The deepfake video was a response to West's recent attempt to sell $20 t-shirts featuring the Swastika symbol and a reference to a Nazi salute on his Yeezy website. The rapper purchased a local ad during the Super Bowl to promote the website. Johansson, who has previously spoken out about AI, said in a statement shared with CNET: "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. I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality." The deepfake video surfaced this week as some of the most prominent tech leaders, including OpenAI's Sam Altman, gathered in Paris for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit to discuss safety guardrails for AI. Many companies and lawmakers continue to grapple with how to regulate AI effectively without stifling innovation. This isn't the first time Johansson has emerged as a leading voice for AI guardrails. Earlier this year, OpenAI used a voice strikingly similar to Johansson's from the film "Her" for its AI tool, ChatGPT-4o. After her legal team sent letters to OpenAI, the company apologized and temporarily postponed the broader rollout of its advanced audio mode. In a blog post at the time, OpenAI said the specific voice, which the company called Sky, "was never intended to resemble (Johansson's)." "I have unfortunately been a very public victim of AI, but the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us," Johansson said in the latest statement. "There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. 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: "I urge the US government to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large."

After a Fake AI Video Goes Viral, Scarlett Johansson Calls for Laws Restricting AI

Johansson and other celebrities in the deepfake video were depicted wearing a T-shirt that had a Jewish star on it, West's name, and a symbolic image of a hand with an extended middle finger -- making it very clear what sentiment lay behind the clip. The Jerusalem Post interviewed the Israeli behind the video, Guy Bar, founder of AI tech hub Elevaitor, who emphasized the political message of the video and its artistic status. "This video exists in the realm of art, culture, and creativity - not commerce," Bar said, noting it was about "promoting an important social message," and even stating "we believe that the individuals featured in the video will identify with it and with the powerful message it conveys." But Bar's ideals weren't aligned with Scarlett Johansson's anti-AI stance at all. CNN reports that in a public statement, Johansson made it clear from the start that she was proudly a "Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind," but then immediately underlined the actor's position on the risk of AI. "I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it," Johansson said, adding, "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality." Johansson, who also pointed out that she has "unfortunately been a very public victim of AI," criticized AI leader OpenAI last year when the company used a digital voice that sounded very much like Johansson to promote human-like speech powers of ChatGPT, leveraging the actor's voice-over role in the AI-centric movie Her. OpenAI, it turned out, had approached Johansson for official permission, but she'd said no. The technology company moved ahead anyway, alleging they'd simply used a "sound-alike" voice. OpenAI and numerous other AI companies have also faced lawsuits over the way they used other people's painstakingly handmade content, from video to writing to music and art, to train their AI systems -- without seeking permission, in many cases, or paying for the privilege.

Scarlett Johansson calls for AI legislation after viral deepfake video

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. WTF?! Scarlett Johansson, who has previously spoken out against the misuse of AI, is now calling for the US government to pass legislation that protects people against this practice. It comes after the Black Widow actress and several other celebrities appeared in an AI-generated video that went viral. The video in question was created by an Instagram user who calls themselves a generative-AI expert in their bio. It is a response to Kanye West's Super Bowl ad, in which the rapper bought ad space during the game to increase traffic to his website. After the ad aired, West changed the site into a storefront that contained a single item: a white T-shirt with a swastika. Shopify removed the storefront soon after it went live. The response video features AI-generated versions of Johansson, Drake, Natalie Portman, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Woody Allen, and several other Jewish celebrities. They are all wearing white T-shirts with a cartoon hand featuring a Star of David in the middle, showing the middle finger. The word "Kanye" is written underneath. Like most modern generative AI videos, this one has convinced many people that it's the real celebs taking part. It does have the usual signs that it's the work of an AI, such as the blurriness, occasional weird hands, and uncanny valley faces, but not everyone will notice them. The video ends with "Enough is Enough" and "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism." Johansson said in the statement that while she has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind, she does "firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. 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, but the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us," she added. Back in 2019, Johansson slammed deepfaked porn videos that superimposed her face onto adult actresses' bodies. The Avengers star appeared in many of these videos, including one that has been viewed over 1.5 million times. "Nothing can stop someone from cutting and pasting my image or anyone else's onto a different body and making it look as eerily realistic as desired," she said. "The fact is that trying to protect yourself from the Internet and its depravity is basically a lost cause [...] The Internet is a vast wormhole of darkness that eats itself." Johansson also had a run-in with OpenAI last year when the voice for the GPT-4o model featured a voice assistant, Sky, that sounded a lot like her. Johansson said she was approached by OpenAI nine months earlier to voice Sky but said no. She added that she had been "forced to hire legal counsel" as a result of the similarities. "There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI," Johansson said in her recent statement. "I urge the U.S. government to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large."

Scarlett Johansson Calls For Urgent AI Regulation After Fake Kanye West Video Spreads: 'Government Paralyzed'

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter A viral AI-generated video featuring Scarlett Johansson and other Jewish celebrities has reignited concerns over deepfake misuse, prompting the actress to call on lawmakers for urgent AI regulations. What Happened: The fabricated video circulating on social media shows an AI version of Johansson wearing a T-shirt with a Star of David and the word "Kanye," referring to rapper Kanye West, written underneath, reported People. It also features AI-generated versions of other Jewish celebrities, including Drake, Steven Spielberg, and Mark Zuckerberg, all appearing to oppose West. The video ends with an AI-generated Adam Sandler flipping off the camera while "Hava Nagila" plays. See Also: Sam Altman's OpenAI Set To Finalize In-House AI Chip, Reducing Dependence On Nvidia: Report In a statement to the People, Johansson condemned the misuse of AI, regardless of its intent. She criticized U.S. lawmakers for failing to act, warning, "There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding AI... It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation." Why It Matters: Johansson has been a repeated victim of AI misuse, previously threatening legal action over an unauthorized AI-generated ad in 2023. She also criticized OpenAI in 2024 for using a voice "eerily similar" to hers in ChatGPT's Sky assistant. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Last year, fabricated images and voice alterations of public figures like Taylor Swift and former President Joe Biden were also widely shared. On Tuesday, the U.S. and U.K. chose not to sign a global AI safety declaration at the AI Action Summit in Paris. About 60 nations, including China, India, and Germany, signed the non-binding pledge for AI to be "safe, secure, and trustworthy." U.S. Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the summit, criticized "overly precautionary" AI rules, arguing they could hinder innovation. Photo courtesy: Shutterstock Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Meta's AI Push Could Add $100 Per Share While Tesla Faces EV Headwinds: Top Analyst Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs