Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Monica Schipper
Topics: Hollywood, Kanye West, Scarlett Johansson, Celebrity, US News, Racism, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Twitter, Social Media, Film and TV
Liv Bridge
Topics: Hollywood, Kanye West, Scarlett Johansson, Celebrity, US News, Racism, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Twitter, Social Media, Film and TV
Scarlett Johansson has slammed the use of AI, as a video of celebrities flipping off Kanye West goes viral.
The Black Widow star has shared her thoughts about artificial intelligence after a video appeared to show Jewish celebrities giving the rapper the middle finger.
The viral video came as Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye, came under scrutiny for a four-day antisemitic-fueled rant on Twitter before the social media platform booted him off.
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Johansson was one of several Hollywood stars whose likeness were used without their consent in the clip, alongside Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfield, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Black, Lisa Kudrow and her fellow Friends co-star David Schwimmer, who also penned a public letter to Twitter owner, Elon Musk, to take action on the 'Gold Digger' hitmaker's tirade.
The video shows the stars wearing white T-shirts with a hand design on, with the star of David over the center of the hand and the middle finger raised above the word 'KANYE'.
The ending credits of the video reads: "Enough is Enough" and "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism."
But Johansson has slammed the use of deepfake footage in any scenario, no matter the intention.
Speaking to PEOPLE, she said: "It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends, that an AI-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction."
As a Jewish woman, the 40-year-old said she has 'no tolerance' for antisemitism or racism of any kind, but stated 'AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it.'
She added: "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”
"There is a 1000-foot wave coming regarding A.I. that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of A.I."
West sparked outrage for his Twitter comments last week which boiled over when his clothing brand Yeezy, which he advertised on the Super Bowl, was selling just one product - a white T-shirt with a swastika on.
The website was taken down by Shopify for breaching policy and Ye was dropped by his talent agent 33&West 'due to his harmful and hateful marks.'
Some of the 47-year-old's offensive tweets included: "I love Hitler," and "I'm a Nazi."
Others read: "I'm never apologising for my Jewish comments."
Schwimmer wrote in his condemnation of the musician: "This is so 2022. We can’t stop a deranged bigot from spewing hate filled, ignorant bile… but we CAN stop giving him a megaphone, Mr. Musk."
He continued: "[Ye's] sick hate speech results in REAL LIFE violence against Jews."
Isla Fisher, who is also in the fake AI video, also spoke out about Ye's actions, writing: "Hey friends, can you please unfollow Kanye? Did you know this is the only thing for sale on his website after placing a Super Bowl commercial? F*** this monster forever. No Tolerance for this s***.”
Musk eventually confirmed Ye's Twitter account was 'classified as NSFW' after he spammed his feed with pornographic videos before the account was deactivated on Sunday (February 9).
Ye is also reportedly being sued by a former Yeezy employee over alleged antisemitism and sexist comments.
The lawsuit alleges West sent the staff member text messages like 'I Am A NAZI' and 'Hail Hitler'.