Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has strongly condemned the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) after a deepfake video featuring her went viral. She has urged lawmakers to introduce regulations on AI usage to prevent its exploitation.
According to entertainment news outlet Variety, AI-generated videos of several celebrities, including Johansson, have sparked controversy in Hollywood. The video featured AI versions of Scarlett Johansson, Jack Black, Mila Kunis, Drake, Steven Spielberg, and Adam Sandler protesting against rapper Kanye West’s recent controversial (anti-Semitic) statements. The clip depicted the celebrities wearing anti-Kanye West T-shirts, and it concluded with an AI-generated message stating, “Enough is enough.”
Johansson Denounces AI Misuse, Calls for Ethical AI Practices
Reacting strongly to the video, Johansson condemned the improper use of AI and emphasized the need for responsible and ethical applications of the technology.
“As a Jewish woman, I will not tolerate anti-Semitism or any form of hate speech,” she stated. However, she also warned that AI’s potential to amplify hate speech poses an even greater threat than an individual spreading such rhetoric.
In a statement, the actress asserted, “We must denounce AI misuse, regardless of whether it impacts messaging or not. If we fail to curb its abuse, we risk losing our grip on reality.”
Johansson Warns of Impending AI Threat, Criticizes U.S. Inaction
Johansson has previously spoken out about the dangers of AI and its potential misuse. Expressing her concerns, she said, “AI has deeply impacted me on a personal level, but this is not just my battle—this is a threat to all of us.”
She criticized the United States for lagging behind in AI regulations, stating, “A dangerous wave of AI is coming, and while several progressive nations are preparing to tackle it, the U.S. remains paralyzed in implementing necessary laws to protect its citizens.”
Scarlett Johansson Urges U.S. Government to Prioritize AI Legislation
Calling for immediate action, Johansson urged the U.S. government to establish legal frameworks to regulate AI usage. “This is a bipartisan issue that could have serious consequences for humanity,” she warned.
Legal Battles Against AI Misuse
Johansson has been at the forefront of legal action against AI misuse. In November 2023, she took legal action after her face and voice were used without consent in an advertisement created with AI. Again, in May 2024, she filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for allegedly using her voice from the 2013 film Her in its GPT-4o chatbot, “Sky.”
With increasing concerns about AI’s ethical implications, Johansson’s demand for strict regulations echoes the growing global debate on AI governance and its responsible use.
