Zelda Williams Criticizes AI-Generated Videos of Late Father Robin Williams urging creators to cease
Zelda Williams Critiques AI-Generated Content of Robin Williams
Concerns Raised Over AI-Generated Content
Zelda Williams, daughter of renowned actor and comedian Robin Williams, has publicly expressed her dismay over AI-generated content featuring her late father. In a recent Instagram story, Zelda urged people to discontinue sending her such content. She highlighted her displeasure with these creations, emphasizing their lack of authenticity and respect for her father’s memory. Zelda stated, “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse. But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me.”
Zelda Williams’ Stand Against AI in Entertainment
Zelda Williams, who is also an actor and filmmaker, continues to challenge the rising trend of AI recreations of deceased personalities. Previously, Zelda has actively supported campaigns against the use of AI in recreating actors who cannot give consent, such as her father. In her opinion, AI-generated content often results in an inferior representation of the person it attempts to emulate, which she finds disturbing. She remarked, “These recreations are, at their very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, but at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster.”
The Growing Issue of Celebrity Deepfakes
The emergence of celebrity deepfakes has become a significant concern across social media. AI-generated content, ranging from entertainment to scams, has prompted various celebrities to voice their apprehensions. Earlier this year, actress Scarlett Johansson highlighted the imminent dangers of AI following a viral deepfake video. Similarly, a scam ad using a deepfake of Crowded House’s Neil Finn alarmed the band, leading them to issue a disclaimer.
The Rise of AI Slop Content
The trend of AI-generated “slop” content—often low-quality and created for mere entertainment—has been expanding with the rapid advancement of AI technologies. Recent examples include videos on TikTok featuring Robin Williams generated via OpenAI’s new app, Sora 2. These videos, including a fake ad for Apple, illustrate how AI tools are being used to create content that blurs the lines between creativity and infringement.
OpenAI’s Approach to Copyright Issues
In response to growing concerns, OpenAI has outlined a process for content owners to flag potential copyright infringements. According to Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s head of media partnerships, the company is committed to collaborating with rights holders to prevent unauthorized use of characters from their AI applications. A “copyright disputes form” is available for rights holders to address these issues.
