Scarlett Johansson Calls for Laws Against Deepfakes Following Viral AI Video.
Johansson speaks out about the "misuse" of artificial intelligence.
Scarlett Johansson is calling on the government to pass legislation that limits the use of artificial intelligence after a deepfake video of the actress circulated online. In a statement, Johansson expressed her concern, indicating that it is terrifying that the U.S. government is inactive in the face of the urgent need to protect its citizens from the imminent dangers of AI.
The video in question features Johansson alongside other Jewish celebrities, including Jerry Seinfeld, Mila Kunis, Jack Black, and Drake, wearing T-shirts with the name "Kanye" and an image of a hand gesture accompanied by the Star of David. This follows recent antisemitic comments made by Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) on the platform X, as well as the sale of T-shirts featuring hate symbols on his website, which is no longer available.
Johansson, who identifies as Jewish, stated that she has zero tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech, but emphasized that the potential for hate speech to multiply through AI represents a significantly greater threat than any individual that could be held accountable. She insisted on the need to highlight the misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that if action is not taken, there is a risk of losing touch with reality.
The actress urged lawmakers to prioritize the crafting of laws that limit the use of AI, underscoring that it is a bipartisan issue that deeply impacts the immediate future of humanity. Johansson has been critical of AI since this technology became more accessible. In 2023, she sued an AI app developer for using her name and likeness in an online advertisement. She also spoke out against OpenAI for using a voice that sounded similar to hers in ChatGPT, which led the company to stop using that voice.
Last year, a bill was introduced to combat deepfakes with sexually explicit content, but little progress has been made in regulating other forms of AI. In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a significant AI safety bill, while former President Donald Trump revoked an executive order from Joe Biden that established safety guidelines for AI. Recently, both the U.S. and the U.K. refused to sign an international declaration on the "ethical" use of artificial intelligence technology.