Scarlett Johansson has decided to take legal steps in response to an artificial intelligence app named Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar using her face and voice in one of their advertisements. The unauthorized 22-second clip, taken from an old behind-the-scenes footage of the actress during the making of her Marvel movie Black Widow, was posted on X (formerly Twitter) and has now been removed from the internet.
Hey everyone, this is Scarlett inviting you to join me on this cool journey. The ad showcases AI-generated images that look like me, the Black Widow star. The voiceover, which sounds a lot like me, explains that the app is not just for avatars but also for creating images with texts and AI videos. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! The ad includes a disclaimer stating that the images were produced by Lisa AI and are not directly connected to me.
According to a statement provided to Variety, Scarlett Johansson’s representatives have clarified that she is not endorsing the app. Johansson’s attorney, Kevin Yorn, emphasized that they are taking the matter seriously and will pursue all legal options available to address it.
Johansson’s attorney emphasized the seriousness of the situation by mentioning that they do not treat such matters casually. Also, it is worth noting that other famous individuals have also experienced similar incidents with artificial intelligence technologies. For instance, actor Tom Hanks recently alerted his followers on Instagram about a promotional video showcasing a fake version of himself endorsing a dental plan. Hanks, 67, urged his fans to be cautious, as the video featured an AI-generated likeness of him.
“I’m not involved in that,” clarified the actor from the movie “Forrest Gump.” The involvement of AI and digital recreation is a key concern for actors supporting the SAG-AFTRA strike. Similarly, members of the Writers Guild of America, who recently ended a five-month strike, are pushing to prohibit the use of AI in writing or altering original material.
On Monday, President Joe Biden took action by signing an executive order to regulate the advancement of artificial intelligence technology. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed shared that Biden, at the age of 80, was influenced to take this step after watching the action-packed film Mission: Impossible – ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Reckoning Part One.
Reed mentioned that the movie further fueled Biden’s existing concerns about the potential dangers of AI technology. The president’s decision to take a more proactive stance on regulating AI was also partly influenced by witnessing the creation of manipulated AI images of himself and his dog, as well as being shown the alarming capabilities of voice cloning technology.
