Will Smith's AI-Generated Concert Crowds Spark Controversy and Raise Ethical Questions
11 Sources
[1]
AI or not, Will Smith's crowd video is fresh cringe | TechCrunch
Will Smith posted a video on social media that shows oceans of fans cheering him on during his recent European tour. "My favorite part of the tour is seeing you all up close," the caption says. "Thank you for seeing me too." In these thousands-deep crowds, some fans are holding up signs espousing
[2]
Horrifying AI Crowds Apparently Used in Will Smith Concert Video
You can't unsee the mass of AI-generated human carnage cheering on the performer. Commenters are calling out actor/rapper Will Smith for using AI in a concert video. The video, posted to YouTube on Aug. 12, features Smith performing in front of audiences that appear in some shots to be real, and
[3]
Will Smith Used AI to Animate Concert Photos With Nightmarish Results
Will Smith is currently playing in the U.K. as part of his 'Based on a True Story' tour. The actor, rapper, and film producer has been sharing snippets of his live performances. However, one recent video showing a series of clips from recent shows had many accusing Smith of AI-generating crowds --
[4]
Will Smith tour video appears to use fake AI crowd, viewers say
He's not eating spaghetti, but there seems to be some AI slop in a YouTube video shared by Will Smith. Commenters noticed telltale signs of generative AI in a video on the Fresh Prince's official YouTube channel promoting his tour. The video, which appears to be live footage of Smith performing
[5]
Will Smith's self-inflicted PR nightmare won't end after appearing to use AI-generated crowds to promote his rap comeback
Will Smith's bid to relaunch his rap career has been overshadowed by a new controversy: accusations the actor and musician used artificial intelligence to fabricate cheering crowds in promotional videos. Clips posted to Smith's official YouTube channel this month showed dense audiences chanting
[6]
Will Smith Used AI to Generate Fans Singing Along to His Horrible New Music and the Result Is Unintentionally Hilarious
It now seems that the 56-year-old "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star's team has used the tech to soup up concert footage from his would-be comeback tour -- and it strongly appears that the purpose was to make an underwhelming crowd look like they're still filled with love for Smith's much-lampooned
[7]
Will Smith accused of using AI for 'embarrassing' tour video
Many are convinced that Will Smith and his team have doctored a video promoting the rapper-actor's ongoing tour so that the crowds appear larger. It's not a great look, especially with the existential threat AI poses for musicians... Between the Oscars slap heard around the world, falling off the
[8]
Outrage as Will Smith's tour video shows creepy AI glitches -- extra fingers, blurred faces
Will Smith's recent thank-you video for his UK tour has sparked controversy among fans due to apparent AI glitches. Viewers noticed distorted faces, blurry hands, and extra fingers in the crowd footage, leading to accusations of using AI to enhance the video. Critics have labeled the video
[9]
Will Smith Accused of Creating an AI Crowd for Tour Video
Footage from Will Smith's comeback Based On A True Story tour has got perceptive online viewers pointing out curious happenings among the crowd. Compiled of clips from his shows on tour, one shot includes fans holding up a sign that reads "We <3 You Willy" but some images of the faces around it
[10]
Green Day Tease Will Smith Over Allegedly AI-Generated Tour Video
On TikTok, the band shared a video from one of the recent shows on their South American tour that showed fans crammed up near the stage singing along to "Basket Case." The video was cheekily captioned, "Don't need AI for our crowds 😜." Smith is accused of using AI on a tour video of his own,
[11]
Oh dear, Will Smith - this AI mess stinks of desperation
Will Smith has got himself into an embarrassing scrape that's painfully ironic, whilst completely exemplifying the slightly desperate edge he's had since that moment at The Oscars. Of course, it involves AI (as every decent scandal does at the moment), and it is exactly the opposite of what his
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Will Smith's recent concert video featuring seemingly AI-generated crowds has sparked controversy and debate about the use of artificial intelligence in entertainment promotion, raising questions about authenticity and trust in the digital age.
The Controversial Video
Will Smith, the actor and rapper, recently posted a video on social media showcasing crowds from his European tour. The video, captioned "My favorite part of the tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too," initially appeared to depict enthusiastic fans cheering for Smith
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. However, upon closer inspection, viewers noticed peculiarities in the crowd scenes, including digitally-mangled faces, nonsensical finger placements, and oddly augmented features1
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Source: CNET
AI or Not: The Debate
The strange appearance of the crowd footage led to widespread speculation that artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to generate or manipulate the scenes. This accusation quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with many fans expressing disappointment and skepticism
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.However, tech blogger Andy Baio pointed out that Smith had previously posted photos and videos from his tour featuring some of the same fans and signs depicted in the questionable video
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. This observation suggests that the footage might be based on real events but processed using AI technology, possibly to animate or enhance existing photos3
.Technical Analysis
Experts and observers have proposed several theories about the video's creation:
- Photo Animation: Smith's team may have used AI to animate still photos from the events, resulting in the uncanny appearance of the crowd
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. - Video Upscaling: The footage could be the result of AI-powered video upscaling, similar to issues encountered by Netflix when enhancing old TV shows
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. - Collage Technique: It's possible that real footage was combined with AI-generated videos using actual crowd photos as source images
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Implications for Smith's Image
Source: Fortune
This controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Will Smith. The actor is attempting to rebuild his public image following the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards where he slapped Chris Rock on stage
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. The use of seemingly AI-generated crowds in his promotional material has been perceived by many as inauthentic and potentially damaging to his comeback efforts4
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.Related Stories
Broader Implications for Entertainment and Technology
The incident highlights several important issues:
- Trust and Authenticity: The use of AI in promotional content raises questions about trust between artists and their audiences
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. - Technological Challenges: The difficulty in distinguishing between real and AI-generated content underscores the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age
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. - Ethical Considerations: The ethics of using AI to enhance or create promotional material are being debated, with some viewing it as deceptive
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. - Public Perception of AI: The strong negative reaction to the perceived use of AI in this context reflects a broader resistance to generative AI technology compared to traditional creative tools
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Industry Response
Source: Rolling Stone
The incident has prompted discussions about the responsible use of AI in entertainment. YouTube, where one version of Smith's video was posted, has announced that it will soon allow creators to opt out of its AI-powered video enhancement features, which have proven unpopular
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.As AI technology continues to advance, the entertainment industry will likely face more challenges in balancing the use of these tools with maintaining audience trust and authenticity. The Will Smith controversy serves as a cautionary tale for celebrities and content creators navigating this new technological landscape.
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