Controversial AI Experiment Generates Debate and Reactions by Transforming White Actors into Black
The usage and impact of AI remain hotly debated topics, with some embracing the technology and others expressing reluctance. Recently, a thread on social media showcasing white actors transformed into black through artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a wide range of reactions and ignited a heated discussion.
Numerous applications and websites have emerged, allowing individuals to reimagine themselves or others through AI. However, the alteration of headshots of Hollywood luminaries like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Marilyn Monroe, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Keanu Reeves has prompted mixed responses.
For some, the AI-generated melanated appearance of white celebrities was off-putting, with one user questioning, Ain’t nobody ask for a Blackface thread. Tf yall be thinking? Others found the whole AI experiment to be strange.
Another user commented on the thread, noting that Angelina Jolie resembled Erykah Badu through AI, while Brad Pitt took on a resemblance to Dave Chappelle. Further comparisons included Leonardo DiCaprio being likened to Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert Downey Jr.’s controversial portrayal of a character in blackface in the 2008 comedy film Tropic Thunder.
In Tropic Thunder, Downey Jr.’s character was a method actor who underwent surgical skin darkening for a role. Although reflecting on the part, the actor acknowledged the controversial nature of his decision, saying, My heart is…I get to be Black for a summer in my mind, so there’s something in it for me. Downey Jr. received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.
Additional observations from the thread included Johnny Depp resembling LaKeith Stanfield and Terrence Howard, while Seth Rogen was compared to 85 South Show comedian Chico Bean.
While some users expressed pride in the existing group of black actors and felt there was no need for reimagining, others called for similar AI experiments to be done in reverse.
AI utilization has previously faced scrutiny when a user digitally replaced Halle Bailey, a black actress, with a white woman in the role of The Little Mermaid character. Despite the controversy, the live-action movie achieved a successful opening with $9.5 million in domestic box office earnings over Memorial Day weekend and has grossed $567.5 million globally.
The ongoing discussion surrounding the controversial AI experiment accentuates the complexities and sensitivities involved in utilizing AI technology to alter and transform individuals’ appearances. It remains to be seen how society will navigate these debates and find a consensus on the ethical implications of such experiments.
In conclusion, the controversy sparked by an AI experiment transforming white actors into black has elicited mixed reactions. While some find the AI-generated results off-putting or strange, others see it as an opportunity for artistic exploration. These discussions are part of a broader ongoing debate about the use of AI and its impact on society’s norms and values. Only time will tell how the public’s perception of AI will evolve and shape the future landscape of art, entertainment, and identity portrayal.
