Robin Williams’ daughter criticizes ‘disturbing’ AI recreation of her dad

Robin Williams' daughter has spoken out on social media about how artificial intelligence recreations of her dad's likeness are 'personally disturbing' to her.

As well as demanding better minimum pay and more stable work, Hollywood writers went on strike on 2 May to demand certain measures to protect themselves against the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Last week, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) revealed a settlement had been reached and certain agreements solidified surrounding the use of AI, however, the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) - who joined the walkout in July - remains on strike.

And Robin Williams' daughter, Zelda Williams, has since taken to social media to reflect on just how important it is for an agreement to be reached and actors to be protected and have authority when it comes to the use of AI in film and TV.

But why are the SAG-AFTRA striking?

Well, similarly to WGA, they want their minimum pay to be raised and studios to be open to negotiations over pay rises and actors having a share of the streaming revenue.

Actors also want certain protections laid out in relation to the rising use of AI - such as actors not being replaced by AI and not having their likeness used to train AI.

And Williams has seen first-hand how AI can 'create/ recreate actors' - even ones who 'cannot consent' like her late father - who is known for his iconic roles in movies such as Mrs Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting and Night at the Museum.

Getty Images/ Jason Kempin/ FilmMagic

Taking to her Instagram story yesterday (Sunday, 1 October), Williams explained she is not 'an impartial voice in SAG's fight against AI'.

Zelda continued: "I've witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/ recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad.

"This isn't theoretical, it is very very real. I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings."

Instagram/ @zeldawilliams

Zelda resolves: "Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance.

"These recreations are, at their very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, but at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster, cobbled together from the worst bits of everything this industry is, instead of what it should stand for."