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| Scarlett Johansson in Madrid in 2024. |
Actor Scarlett Johansson is urging lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence after her likeness was used without her consent in a fake viral video. The video, which falsely depicts celebrities protesting rapper Ye, has been widely shared on social media.
The altered footage, circulated on X and Instagram, features AI-generated clips of Johansson, rapper Drake, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and comedian Adam Sandler. In the video, they appear to wear T-shirts displaying the Star of David inside a hand making a middle finger gesture, with "KANYE" written underneath. The clip ends with a call to “Join the Fight Against Antisemitism.”
The video surfaced after Ye—formerly known as Kanye West—began selling swastika-emblazoned T-shirts on his website, which he promoted in a Super Bowl ad. Ye has been widely criticized for antisemitic remarks, including claims that he is a Nazi. His X account was deactivated last week, and as of Tuesday, his store was offline after Shopify removed the site for violating its policies.
In a statement, Johansson addressed the video’s circulation:
“It has been brought to my attention by family and friends that an AI-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been spreading online.”
She continued, “As a Jewish woman, I have zero tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also believe the real threat lies in AI’s ability to amplify misinformation and hate speech. We must call out AI misuse—regardless of the message—before we lose our grip on reality.”
It remains unclear who created the video. NBC News has not independently verified whether AI software was used, though Instagram included a disclaimer on at least one reshared post stating: “This content was digitally created or altered with AI to seem real.” Representatives for X and Meta, Instagram’s parent company, did not respond to requests for comment.
Johansson is among a growing number of celebrities who have had their likeness used without permission due to the rise of generative AI. In late 2023, her lawyer demanded that an AI-based app stop using an AI-generated version of her image in an advertisement. And in May last year, OpenAI paused the use of a voice in its GPT-4o chatbot after Johansson expressed shock and anger over its resemblance to her voice in the sci-fi film Her. OpenAI, however, denied that the voice was intentionally modeled after hers.
Other public figures, including Taylor Swift, YouTuber MrBeast, and actor Tom Hanks, have also been targeted by AI-generated deepfakes in recent years.
“I have unfortunately been a very public victim of AI,” Johansson said. “But the truth is, AI’s dangers affect all of us.”
Currently, the U.S. has no comprehensive laws regulating AI development, though some states have introduced legislation addressing specific issues like political deepfakes.
“There is a 1,000-foot wave coming with AI,” Johansson warned. “Other progressive countries have taken responsible action, yet the U.S. government remains paralyzed. It is terrifying that lawmakers are failing to protect citizens from the imminent dangers of AI.”
She concluded by urging Congress to make AI legislation a top priority.
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