Robin Williams’ Daughter Zelda Takes a Stand Against Nonconsensual AI Replicas in Hollywood
Zelda Williams, the daughter of late actor Robin Williams, is fighting against the use of nonconsensual artificial intelligence (AI) replicas in Hollywood. In a post on her Instagram Stories, the actress and director criticized the replication of her father’s likeness using AI, a contentious issue at the center of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. She called on people to protect actors’ likenesses and respect their right to consent.
Zelda started her post by acknowledging her bias in SAG’s fight against AI, stating, I am not an impartial voice in SAG’s fight against AI. She went on to express her concerns about the use of AI to recreate actors who cannot give their consent, like her father. According to screenshots obtained by Entertainment Weekly, Zelda emphasized that she has witnessed attempts to train AI models to recreate her father’s image and voice. While she finds it personally disturbing, she believes the implications go far beyond her own feelings.
The 34-year-old actress highlighted the importance of living actors having the opportunity to use their choices and personal effort to create characters. She advocated for actors’ involvement in voice acting and the time they invest in perfecting their performances. Zelda concluded by stating that these AI replicas, at best, pale in comparison to the real actors they aim to imitate. At worst, they become monstrous amalgamations that deviate from the true essence of the industry.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) considers the use of AI to replicate performers’ voices or likenesses a mandatory subject of bargaining. In an official letter, SAG-AFTRA’s general counsel, Jeffrey Bennett, addressed the issue. The recent SAG-AFTRA strike has drawn attention to the need to regulate the use of AI in Hollywood.
Zelda’s stand against nonconsensual AI comes as other prominent figures in the industry voice their concerns. Tom Hanks, the Academy Award-winning actor, recently dealt with the repercussions of AI when an AI version of him was used in a dental plan advertisement. Taking to social media, Hanks clarified that he had no association with the AI representation of himself. In a May episode of The Adam Buxton Podcast, Hanks had previously discussed the growing use of AI in the creative industry.
Filmmaker Tim Burton also expressed his unease with the use of AI imitations. In an interview with The Independent, Burton revealed his discomfort after seeing AI recreations of Disney characters in an article by Buzzfeed. He compared the experience to other cultures’ belief that having one’s picture taken steals a piece of their soul. Burton argued that the use of AI takes away something from the individual and described it as a robot taking someone’s humanity.
As discussions about the use of AI in Hollywood continue, voices like Zelda Williams’, Tom Hanks’, and Tim Burton’s bring attention to the ethical implications and the importance of respecting artists’ rights. The impact of AI on the entertainment industry is an ongoing debate that requires careful consideration and industry-wide regulations to protect actors and their portrayal of characters.
[Reference to the original article: Bailey Richards, Robin Williams’ Daughter Zelda Fights Against Nonconsensual AI Replicas in Hollywood – PEOPLE]
