Scarlett Johansson has issued a strong warning regarding the “imminent dangers of AI” following the release of a viral deepfake video that features her alongside other prominent Jewish celebrities. This video, which includes well-known figures such as David Schwimmer, Jerry Seinfeld, and Adam Sandler, responds directly to the recent antisemitic remarks made by Kanye West, who is now known as Ye. The video went viral this week, stirring significant public concern.
The AI-generated imagery includes more than a dozen celebrities and opens with a striking deepfake of Johansson, dressed in a T-shirt emblazoned with a hand displaying a middle finger, the Star of David, and the name Kanye. The unsettling visual is paired with an electronic version of “Hava Nagila”, a traditional Jewish folk tune typically associated with celebrations, and concludes with the message: “Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism.” Other stars portrayed in this unsettling depiction include Sacha Baron Cohen, Jack Black, Natalie Portman, and Lenny Kravitz.
In a statement to People, Johansson expressed her concerns, stating, “It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends, that an AI-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction.” She further emphasized, “I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”
Kanye West, who has faced backlash for his comments, once referred to himself as a “Nazi” and expressed admiration for Hitler prior to deactivating his social media account. During the Super Bowl, he appeared in a controversial advertisement that directed viewers to his website, where he was selling T-shirts featuring swastikas, an action that Shopify quickly condemned and subsequently removed the site for policy violations.
Johansson has garnered a reputation for being one of the most outspoken celebrities against non-consensual AI usage. In a previous instance last year, she threatened legal action against OpenAI after discovering that the company had used a voice resembling hers in their ChatGPT product, despite her having denied their request for her involvement. Following backlash from the public, OpenAI removed the deeply criticized voice option from ChatGPT. She articulated the widespread impact of AI by stating, “I have been a very public victim of AI, but the truth is that the threat of AI affects each and every one of us.”
Furthermore, Johansson remarked on the growing concern surrounding AI regulation, claiming, “There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the US government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of AI.”
In her fervent call to action, the actor urged elected officials to take legislative measures against AI abuse, labeling it “a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large.” Her remarks come amidst discussions in the UK, where the Advertising Standards Authority has noted that fake advertisements featuring celebrities have become the most common type of scams circulating online. The deepfake video itself was created by Ori Bejerano, who identifies as a generative AI expert on social media, and his original post included a disclaimer that indicated the content was “digitally created or altered with AI to seem real.”
The implications of Johansson’s warnings are clear; as technology rapidly evolves, so must the efforts to regulate its use to prevent the perpetuation of hate speech and misinformation on a grand scale. The urgency of her message resonates as society grapples with the challenges posed by AI, necessitating immediate attention and action.
