Scarlett Johansson has raised concerns about the dangers of AI misuse after a deepfake video surfaced, supposedly showing her and other Jewish celebrities sending a message to Kanye West in protest.
The video emerged following Kanye’s departure from the X platform due to antisemitic posts and the sale of swastika T-shirts on his website.
In the fabricated video, Johansson, along with David Schwimmer and Jerry Seinfeld, were depicted wearing T-shirts displaying the Star of David on a hand making an obscene gesture, with the word “Kanye” above it.
The actress, being Jewish herself, emphasized her zero tolerance for hate speech but also highlighted the potential threat of AI distorting reality.
The use of likenesses of other Jewish stars like Steven Spielberg and Natalie Portman without their consent added to the severity of the situation. The video’s message calling for action against anti-semitism further fueled the controversy surrounding Kanye’s recent actions.
Meanwhile, Ty Dolla $ign, who previously collaborated with Kanye, distanced himself from the rapper, denouncing any form of hate speech. The ad featuring Kanye promoting swastika T-shirts during the Super Bowl was condemned by Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy for its offensive nature.
The deepfake video targeting Kanye was created by digital marketers from an Israeli agency, aiming to combat antisemitism. The issue brings attention to the prevalence of fake ads featuring celebrities online, as highlighted by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority.
