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You can’t libel the dead. But that doesn’t mean you should deepfake them.
Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, publicly urged fans to stop sending AI-generated deepfake videos of her late father. This plea follows the release of OpenAI's Sora 2, an application allowing the creation of realistic deepfakes, including deceased individuals. Williams criticized the ethical implications of deepfakes and the lack of consent from those who have passed away, emphasizing that this practice disrespects their legacies.
Key points
- Zelda Williams sent a heartfelt message on Instagram asking fans to stop sending AI videos of her father, Robin Williams.
- Her post was timed with the launch of OpenAI's Sora 2 video model, which facilitates deepfake creation, including of deceased individuals.
- Sora 2 allows users to create realistic videos of historical figures and deceased celebrities but has limitations on living individuals.
- The ethical implications arise from the fact that the deceased cannot consent to their likeness being used in deepfake videos.
- Williams expressed her frustration over the use of her father's image for entertainment without regard for his legacy.
Why it matters
- The development and availability of AI technologies that create deepfakes raise significant ethical questions, especially concerning consent and the portrayal of deceased individuals.
- This situation parallels ongoing debates about digital legacy and the rights of the deceased in the age of advanced AI technologies.
- Sora's emergence highlights a growing trend in the tech industry towards creating lifelike digital avatars, a topic that will likely feature prominently in discussions at tech conferences like Disrupt 2025.
Zelda Williams' plea sheds light on the ethical dilemmas posed by emerging AI technologies, particularly concerning the portrayal of deceased individuals, prompting a broader conversation about respect, consent, and the legacies we leave behind.