AI-Generated Video of Scarlett Johansson and Others Used Without Consent in Kanye West Protest
An Israeli marketing expert created an AI-generated video featuring unauthorized deepfake versions of Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities condemning Kanye West's antisemitic remarks. Johansson publicly condemned the video and called for legislation limiting AI misuse.
What happened
An Israeli digital media marketing expert published an AI-generated protest video on Tuesday targeting US rapper Kanye West for his antisemitic posts online.
The video featured AI-generated versions of Scarlett Johansson, Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Lenny Kravitz, and Natalie Portman without their consent or knowledge.
Reported impact
Scarlett Johansson condemned the unauthorized use of her likeness, stating that AI-multiplied hate speech represents a greater threat than individual hate speech.
Johansson called on the US government to make limiting the uncontrolled use of AI a top priority through legislation.
Index analysis
This incident marks the continuation of a pattern of unauthorized use of Johansson's likeness in AI-generated content, following a 2023 incident and her May 2024 legal action against OpenAI over a ChatGPT voice similar to hers.
Other celebrities including Taylor Swift, Tom Hanks, and Morgan Freeman have similarly been subjected to AI-generated impersonations without consent.
Governance controls
Johansson emphasized that misuse of AI must be criticized regardless of the message or intent behind it, warning that without proper controls society risks losing touch with reality.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.