Scarlett Johansson Slams AI Video of Celebrities Fighting Kanye West’s Antisemitism: ‘We Must Call Out the Misuse of AI, No Matter Its Messaging’

by

Scarlett Johansson has publicly expressed her disapproval of a widely-shared AI-generated video where celebrities, including herself, Jack Black, Mila Kunis, Drake, Steven Spielberg among others, appear to demonstrate against Kanye West’s recent series of antisemitic statements. In the video, an artificial intelligence-created version of Johansson initiates the clip, which depicts them all wearing shirts with the Star of David and “Kanye” written on them. As Adam Sandler, also a digital replica, flips off the camera, the video concludes with the messages: “Time’s Up” and “Join the Crusade Against Antisemitism.

Johansson explicitly criticized the inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence in her statement. She emphasized: “I am a Jewish woman with zero tolerance for antisemitism or any form of hate speech. However, I strongly argue that the ability of AI to amplify hate speech poses a much greater danger than an individual who acknowledges their actions. It’s crucial we recognize and condemn the misuse of AI, regardless of its content, or risk losing our grip on reality.”

Or, more concisely:

Johansson denounced the inappropriate use of AI in her statement, stating: “As a Jewish woman with no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech, I firmly believe that AI’s potential to spread hate speech is a significant threat. We must condemn this misuse of AI to prevent losing our grasp on reality.

Johansson went on to say, “Regrettably, I’ve been quite publicly targeted by AI. However, let me make it clear that the looming threat of AI isn’t just my problem; it impacts us all. It’s like a colossal 1000-foot wave approaching, and some forward-thinking nations, excluding the U.S., have already taken steps to address this in a proactive way. It’s alarming that our government seems incapable of passing legislation to safeguard its citizens from the urgent dangers posed by AI.

Johansson emphasized the need for the U.S. administration to prioritize drafting laws restricting AI usage. This matter transcends party lines and significantly impacts the near future of mankind as a whole.

In her own words, the actress who played Black Widow and was nominated for an Oscar in “Marriage Story” has been a target of AI misuse. For the past two years, she’s been battling against unauthorized portrayals of her likeness. In November 2023, she sued an AI app for using her name and image without consent in an online ad. Later, in May 2024, she criticized OpenAI for utilizing her voice from the movie “Her” to create a chatbot named Sky. Her legal team demanded that OpenAI remove the voice from their platform, as she had initially declined their request to use it.

Upon listening to the initial demo, I was left staggered, enraged, and utterly disconcerted, for the voice seemed strikingly similar to mine – so much so that my nearest confidants and media outlets could not discern the distinction. At that time, Mr. Altman hinted at this resemblance being deliberate, posting merely a solitary word, ‘her’, a nod to the film where I lent my voice to Samantha, a chat system that develops an intimate bond with a human.

From my perspective as a movie buff, West’s anti-Semitic remarks have led to some significant consequences. My talent representative has decided to part ways with me, and sadly, my X account has been shut down. Additionally, the online platform representing my brand, Yeezy.com, was taken offline following the selling of a shirt adorned with a swastika symbol on it.

Read More

2025-02-12 17:47