Tom Hanks Issues Warning on Deepfake Impact
02.10.2023 posted by Admin
Tom Hanks has issued a cautionary message regarding an advertisement that appears to feature him but is, in fact, a product of artificial intelligence (AI).
Taking to Instagram, the actor expressed his lack of involvement with a video promoting a dental plan fronted by an AI version of himself.
Hanks has previously discussed the challenges posed by AI in the entertainment industry, an issue that has been at the forefront of recent protests by prominent Hollywood actors and writers.
As AI technology has advanced in both power and sophistication, concerns have grown about its capacity to generate highly realistic virtual replicas of real individuals, commonly referred to as deepfakes.
Numerous celebrities, including financial expert Martin Lewis, have fallen victim to deepfake impersonations, often leading to fraudulent activities.
Deepfakes have also been misused in the realm of adult content, at times as a form of revenge, prompting legislative changes in England and Wales to facilitate the prosecution of offenders.
The rise of deepfake AI imagery and videos featuring politicians further exacerbates the problem of online misinformation, with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's current leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, among the notable targets.
In September, Google announced a requirement for political ads on its platform to disclose the use of AI in their creation.
AI-driven video manipulation can also be employed for non-controversial purposes, such as the innovative virtual concerts featuring the band Abba.
Hanks previously discussed the potential for AI to prolong the careers of performing artists during an appearance on the Adam Buxton podcast in May.
He noted the growing capabilities of converting computer code into lifelike faces and characters, enabling anyone to recreate themselves at any age using AI or deepfake technology. This development raises the possibility of performances continuing indefinitely, even if the artist is no longer present.
Concerns about job displacement due to AI have led to strikes that disrupted Hollywood, affecting popular shows like "Stranger Things" and "The Last of Us."
While the Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing screenwriters, reached a tentative agreement with studio executives to end their industrial action, a separate dispute involving actors, partially fueled by fears of AI's impact on acting jobs, remains unresolved.
Taking to Instagram, the actor expressed his lack of involvement with a video promoting a dental plan fronted by an AI version of himself.
Hanks has previously discussed the challenges posed by AI in the entertainment industry, an issue that has been at the forefront of recent protests by prominent Hollywood actors and writers.
As AI technology has advanced in both power and sophistication, concerns have grown about its capacity to generate highly realistic virtual replicas of real individuals, commonly referred to as deepfakes.
Numerous celebrities, including financial expert Martin Lewis, have fallen victim to deepfake impersonations, often leading to fraudulent activities.
Deepfakes have also been misused in the realm of adult content, at times as a form of revenge, prompting legislative changes in England and Wales to facilitate the prosecution of offenders.
The rise of deepfake AI imagery and videos featuring politicians further exacerbates the problem of online misinformation, with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's current leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, among the notable targets.
In September, Google announced a requirement for political ads on its platform to disclose the use of AI in their creation.
AI-driven video manipulation can also be employed for non-controversial purposes, such as the innovative virtual concerts featuring the band Abba.
Hanks previously discussed the potential for AI to prolong the careers of performing artists during an appearance on the Adam Buxton podcast in May.
He noted the growing capabilities of converting computer code into lifelike faces and characters, enabling anyone to recreate themselves at any age using AI or deepfake technology. This development raises the possibility of performances continuing indefinitely, even if the artist is no longer present.
Concerns about job displacement due to AI have led to strikes that disrupted Hollywood, affecting popular shows like "Stranger Things" and "The Last of Us."
While the Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing screenwriters, reached a tentative agreement with studio executives to end their industrial action, a separate dispute involving actors, partially fueled by fears of AI's impact on acting jobs, remains unresolved.