Over the weekend, Tom Hanks, famously known as ‘Asteroid City’ in the digital realm, took to his Instagram to issue a caution to his followers regarding a video purportedly featuring him for a dental company. However, Hanks clarified that this was, in fact, an AI-generated version of himself and that he had no involvement or authorization in its creation.
Though he refrained from sharing the video, Hanks emphatically urged his followers to ‘beware’. Given that the dental company went ahead with a Tom Hanks ad without seeking the actor’s consent, legal action may well be on the horizon.
This incident reignites the ongoing debate surrounding AI’s ethical implications. While its potential to assist in various scenarios is acknowledged, artists remain concerned about its unbridled use. In the case of an iconic figure like Tom Hanks, whose face and voice have graced screens for decades, the ease with which his image can be manipulated without consent raises significant ethical questions.
Hanks has even undergone digital transformations for movies like The Polar Express and A Man Called Otto, where his image was either digitally created or de-aged. However, without proper legislation or basic ethical considerations, companies might exploit Hanks’ likeness and voice without compensating him.
This issue extends to voice actors as well, who face the risk of companies using their voices to speed up production without fair compensation.
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In the realm of AI, we’re still in the early stages of comprehending how it will reshape various industries. This year, screenwriters vehemently resisted the adoption of AI in scriptwriting, and actors continue to fight for ownership of their own likenesses and voices.
Tom Hanks is just one among many celebrities who have raised their voices against the unregulated use of AI. It’s crucial to address these concerns early on, sparking meaningful discussions about its implications.