Zelda Williams, a multifaceted talent and the daughter of the late Robin Williams, recently expressed her strong disapproval of what she refers to as “disgusting” AI reproductions of her father. Taking to Instagram, she urged people to refrain from sending her AI-generated videos of her dad, emphasizing that she has no interest in viewing them and finds them both disrespectful and unappealing.
In her Instagram story, which has since disappeared, Zelda made it clear that she would block individuals attempting to upset her with such content. She pleaded with others to demonstrate basic decency by ceasing these actions, stressing that it is not only a futile endeavor but also goes against the wishes of her father.
The iconic Robin Williams tragically passed away in 2014 at the age of 63, with an autopsy revealing he had Lewy body dementia. Zelda strongly condemned the reduction of real individuals’ legacies to mere AI simulations, criticizing the trend of using these simulations for shallow entertainment purposes, such as on platforms like TikTok.
Her recent statements echo sentiments she expressed in 2023 when the American acting union SAG-AFTRA highlighted the importance of addressing AI in their negotiations. Zelda had previously voiced her dismay at the proliferation of AI-generated recreations of her father, labeling them as disturbing and artistically unethical.
The debate surrounding AI-generated content has been ongoing for years, gaining mainstream attention with instances like the deepfake video of Barack Obama in 2018 and the digital resurrection of James Dean for a film in 2019. The rise of generative AI technology has sparked concerns across various artistic fields, including literature, NFTs, and music production.
As the discourse between unions and studios unfolds, Zelda’s remarks shed light on the broader implications of AI technology in everyday use, especially with the recent introduction of OpenAI’s Sora 2, a text-to-video AI model. The launch of the Sora app, featuring AI-generated videos, has raised copyright and ethical concerns due to its potential for creating misleading and controversial content.
In the realm of legal proceedings, major entertainment companies like Disney and Universal have taken action against AI platforms for alleged copyright infringements. Filmmakers like Werner Herzog and Hayao Miyazaki have criticized AI-generated content, highlighting the lack of soul and authenticity in such creations.
The ongoing clash between human creativity and AI innovation underscores the need for ethical considerations and respect for intellectual property rights in the evolving landscape of digital content creation.