Tom Hanks, the renowned Oscar-winning actor, recently took to his Instagram to warn his fans about a video circulating online that features an artificial intelligence (AI) version of him promoting a dental plan. Hanks clarified that he has nothing to do with the video and urged his followers not to trust it.
In the post, Hanks shared an image of a computer-generated likeness of himself from the video and wrote, “BEWARE!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.” The actor’s wariness towards AI in the entertainment industry is not new. He has previously discussed how he first came across this technology while working on the movie “The Polar Express,” where a significant amount of his likeness was digitally recreated.
During an interview on “The Adam Buxton Podcast” in May, Hanks expressed his belief that the use of AI in entertainment would only continue to grow. He acknowledged that the ability to create lifelike characters and performances using zeros and ones inside a computer has become widespread. Hanks even speculated that AI could potentially enable his on-screen presence to continue even after his own demise. He expressed concerns about the artistic and legal challenges posed by this technology, especially with the rise of deepfake, where AI can manipulate images and video to make it appear as if someone said or did something they didn’t.
Interestingly, Hanks’ podcast appearance coincided with the writers strike and actors strike in Hollywood. Both guilds, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA, were embroiled in negotiations that touched on issues related to AI in their contracts. The strike lasted for the majority of the summer, with writers seeking protections against AI-generated scripts and materials being used without their consent. The final agreement reached with the studios includes safeguards for writers, such as prohibiting their forced use of AI and requiring disclosure if any AI-generated material is provided.
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While the writers strike concluded recently, the actors strike is still ongoing. SAG-AFTRA and the studios announced that they would resume negotiations on October 2, following the writers’ settlement. It is clear that both guilds are concerned about the growing influence of AI in the entertainment industry and are working to secure the rights and protections for their members.
The prevalence of AI-generated content raises ethical and legal questions that need to be addressed. The ability to create realistic and convincing deepfakes poses a significant challenge for distinguishing between genuine and manipulated content. Protecting the rights of artists and ensuring transparency regarding the use of AI-generated materials are crucial steps in safeguarding the industry’s integrity.
As AI continues to evolve, it is essential for the entertainment industry and its stakeholders to stay informed and proactive in addressing the implications of this technology. It is necessary to strike a balance between the creative potential of AI and the need to protect the rights and authenticity of artists’ work. Tom Hanks’ warning to his fans about the unauthorized use of his likeness in the dental plan video serves as a reminder of the potential dangers and ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content.
