Al Poses A Serious Threat Of False Celebrity Endorsements; Tom Hanks The Latest To Warn| Details

Tom Hanks has raised a red flag to alert his fans about a video he claims utilizes an "AI version" of himself to endorse a dental plan. The renowned Oscar-winning actor took to Instagram on 30th September to share a screenshot from the video featuring an eerily accurate digital likeness of him.

With an emphatic "BEWARE!!" added on top of the image, the 67-year-old actor issued a stern warning to his followers: "There's a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it," he declared, concluding his message with his signature name.

The origins of this video and the dental plan it was promoting remain shrouded in mystery. Requests for additional comments or information from Tom Hanks' representatives have gone unanswered thus far.

Hanks, renowned for his iconic roles in films such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Forrest Gump," has previously voiced his concerns about the potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of deepfake technology. During an appearance on the "Adam Buxton Podcast" in May, he delved into the likelihood of AI significantly influencing the future of the movie industry.

Hanks pondered the possibility of movies featuring AI-driven versions of actors, pointing out the technology's capability to recreate actors at any age, even beyond their lifetimes. He noted that viewers may struggle to discern between authentic performances and AI-generated ones, underscoring the complex artistic and legal dilemmas posed by this scenario.

"I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but my performances can go on and on and on," Hanks said. "And outside of the understanding that it's been done by AI or deep fake, there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me and me alone." added Hanks as quoted by Today.

While Hanks expressed his belief that fans might eventually develop the ability to distinguish between AI and genuine performances, he acknowledged the blurred ethical and legal boundaries that AI-generated content brings to the forefront."And it's going to have some degree of lifelike quality. And that is certainly an artistic challenge, but it's also a legal one." said Hanks.

Tom Hanks' cautionary message surfaces at a time when the ethical concerns surrounding AI and deepfake technologies are on the rise, particularly within the entertainment industry. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, have previously encountered situations where their likenesses were employed without consent to endorse products or produce AI-generated content.

Zelda Williams on 1st October shared a story on her Instagram page claiming that she heard of people wanting to re-create Al models of actors "who cannot consent" to it, equating this to her father who passed away in 2014.

Williams wrote, ""This isn't theoretical, it is very very real," adding that "I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings."

In fact, in October 2022, Oprah Winfrey also took to Instagram to alert her fans when her picture and name were depicted in an for weight loss gummies. She confirmed in her post that she did not endorse the supplement.

"Fraud alert! Please don't buy any weight loss gummies with my picture or name on them. There have been social media ads, emails, and fake websites going out and I want you to hear it straight from me, that I have nothing to do with them." Winfrey wrote in the caption of her post.

These incidents underscore the pressing need for ongoing discussions and negotiations within the industry to address the ethical considerations and safeguard individuals' identities and rights.