Scarlett Johansson has criticized the use of AI following the appearance of her likeness in a viral video featuring celebrities denouncing Kanye West’s antisemitism. The AI-generated video includes figures like Johansson, Ben Stiller, Mila Kunis, and Steven Spielberg, all wearing white T-shirts with the Star of David and a raised middle finger above Kanye’s name. It concludes with an AI rendition of Adam Sandler also gesturing at the camera, accompanied by the message: “Enough is enough. Join the fight to end antisemitism.”
In her statement, Johansson addressed “the misuse of AI,” emphasizing her identity as a Jewish woman who rejects antisemitism and hate speech. She expressed concern that the potential for AI to amplify hate speech poses a more significant threat than any individual accountable for it. “We must call out the misuse of AI, regardless of its messaging, or we risk losing our grip on reality,” she stated.
Johansson noted her own experiences as a victim of AI misuse and highlighted that the threat of AI impacts everyone. She urged the U.S. government to take more action to regulate AI, warning of an impending crisis that other progressive nations are addressing responsibly. “It is alarming that the U.S. government is stalled on enacting legislation to protect its citizens from the imminent dangers of AI,” she said, calling for bipartisan efforts to prioritize AI regulation for the future of humanity.
This statement comes amid controversy surrounding Kanye West, who has faced backlash for selling T-shirts featuring a swastika and making a series of antisemitic remarks. Recently, he purchased a Super Bowl advertisement directing viewers to a website showcasing a T-shirt with a swastika, which the Anti-Defamation League condemned as further evidence of his antisemitism. Following this, the e-commerce platform Shopify deactivated his site for violating their terms of service.