February 13, 2025: Actress Scarlett Johansson has issued a strong public statement calling on US legislators to take immediate action to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This follows the viral circulation of an unauthorized, AI-generated video that falsely depicts Johansson and other Jewish celebrities, including Drake, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, and Jack Black, opposing rapper Kanye West.
The controversial video, which surfaced online, opens with an AI-generated version of Johansson, wearing a white T-shirt with a middle finger gesture and a Star of David, accompanied by the word "Kanye." The video also includes other Jewish celebrities depicted in a similar manner, culminating in an AI version of Adam Sandler. It ends with the message "Enough is Enough" and a call to join the fight against antisemitism, all while the Jewish folk song "Hava Nagila" plays in the background.
In her statement, Johansson condemned the misuse of AI, emphasizing that while she is a staunch opponent of antisemitism and hate speech, the potential for AI to amplify such hate is a far greater threat. "It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends, that an AI-generated video featuring my likeness has been circulating online," Johansson said. "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."
Johansson further expressed concern about the rapid advancement of AI technology and its ability to manipulate public figures' likenesses. "There is a 1000-foot wave coming regarding AI that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner," she warned, adding that the US government must act swiftly to regulate AI before it becomes a global threat.
The actress’s statement calls for bipartisan action from lawmakers to prioritize AI regulation for the safety and privacy of citizens. "I urge the US government to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large," Johansson concluded.
This is not the first time Johansson has dealt with AI-related issues. In November 2023, she threatened legal action against a company that used her likeness without permission in an advertisement, leading to the removal of the ad. Additionally, she was shocked to learn in May 2024 that her voice was being used by OpenAI's ChatGPT system, known as "Sky," without her consent.
Johansson’s call for action comes at a time when deepfakes and AI-generated content are becoming increasingly prevalent, raising critical concerns about privacy, consent, and the potential for misinformation. Her statements underline the urgent need for transparency and legislation to protect public figures from the misuse of AI technology.
