People claim Will Smith's latest concert had AI-generated crowd after noticing bizarre sign
Topics: Will Smith, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, Music
Liv Bridge
Featured Image Credit: amiriking/ X
Topics: Will Smith, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, Music
Fans have been left a little puzzled by Will Smith's new concert footage as the faces in crowd don't seem real.
The 56-year-old is making a bit of a comeback in his career - two years on from that famous Oscar slap - by kicking off his first tour in decades in celebration of his new album.
Based on a True Story, which landed in March this year, might be the fifth studio album created by Smith but marks the end of a 20-year-long hiatus for the rapper.
His last album, Lost and Found, came out way back in 2005.
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Smith's new album is jam-packed with collaborations with some famous faces, including his own son, Jaden, among the likes of Big Sean, Russ and Joyner Lucas.
In 2024, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star teased that the album presents 'the most personal and powerful music project [he's] ever done'.
However, while you might not think the Hollywood giant considered one of the most 'bankable stars' would need much hype for his tour, Smith's fans have pointed out a glaring and 'embarrassing' blunder in his footage.
Taking to Instagram, the 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It' hitmaker shared the footage with the caption: "My favorite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too."
Yet, dozens have pointed out that the people in the footage don't seem real - appearing with robotic movements and distorted, un-humanlike features, like 'crushed hands' and 'no eyes', while some were holding 'bizarre' signs.
"Why does half the crowd look possessed. Some of them had no eyes hahahah," read one comment.
"If you freeze it on 0:54 seconds, not a single person behind the sign has eyes," pointed out another.
Since dissecting the footage on social media, many said they felt the footage contains an AI-generated crowd, and it's clear to why they think that.
Posting several screenshots from the footage, a critic pointed out one sign read 'FR6SH CRINCE'.
Another being held by a so-called fan read: "'You can make it.' Helped me survive cancer. Thx Will," with a pained expression on his face - and an abundance of fingers.
Others zoomed in on background footage of the audience, which shows many had 'melted' or pixelated faces, or were in strange positions - like a man appearing to rest his head in the crotch of another concert-goer, or another man scratching his eye through the frame of his glasses.
A third posted a screengrab of a hand that appeared to have 'crushed' fingers in the air.
"This use of AI is INSANE and downright sad," one comment read on the post.
"Half of the footage is AI," said another with a laughing face emoji.
A third laughed: "What the hell, you actually had a concert. WHY USE AI?????"
A fourth urged Smith to 'delete the video' calling the use of artificial intelligence 'unacceptable'.
The backlash comes as Smith kicked off the UK leg of his tour on August 24 to success, with a crowd of around 8,000 in Cardiff.
He will be performing in Manchester, Wolverhampton and London before jetting off to Europe for his Paris gig.
UNILAD has contacted Smith's reps for comment.