Tom Hanks Issues Bizarre Warning About Video Circulating Online
Tom Hanks took a break from his regular social media updates about projects he's working on and causes he cares about to deliver a warning to his fans.
The actor posted a still image from a promotional video allegedly going around featuring an AI version of him. On top of the image, Hanks wrote, "BEWARE!! There's a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it." He then signed his name, leaving the caption empty.
The version of Hanks in the picture certainly looks like him, but it appears younger, with a slightly unnatural quality to it. Hanks didn't share any further details about where he saw the video or who's behind it.
Parade was unable to surface the original video, and it remains unclear why Hanks issued the warning, though it may have to do with protecting his image and likeness.
Earlier this year, while Hanks was a guest on The Adam Buxton Podcast, the 67-year-old commented on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it's being used in film to de-age celebrities, noting it has the potential to create an entire performance from an actor after their death.
“I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but my performances can go on and on and on," he said. "And outside of the understanding that it’s been done by AI or deepfake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone. And it’s going to have some degree of lifelike quality."
He noted that while it "is certainly an artistic challenge," it also presents a lot of legal issues, some of which are potentially being hashed out in negotiations for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA right now.
When the podcast host suggested that viewers will most likely prefer to watch human performances over those created by AI, Hanks countered, “Without a doubt, people will be able to tell, but the question is, will they care?”
Hanks previously worked with similar AI technology for the film The Polar Express, which came out in 2004, but AI capabilities have greatly advanced since then.
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