The estate of the late comedian George Carlin has filed a lawsuit against a media company that produced a comedy special that used artificial intelligence to imitate his iconic style.
The feature in question is titled “George Carlin: Glad He's Dead” and was released earlier this month. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Los Angeles, asks the company that produced the special, Dudessy, to immediately remove the video in question. The foundation is also seeking unspecified damages.
“None of the defendants had permission to use Carlin's likeness in the AI-generated 'George Carlin Special,' nor did they have a license to use the late comedian's copyrighted work,” the complaint states. Are listed.
George Carlin's daughter exclaims on AI-generated special: “No machine can replace his genius”
A lawsuit filed by George Carlin's estate targets media company Dudessy, which used artificial intelligence to produce a special called “George Carlin: Glad He's Dead.” (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc for HBO)
Dudesy produces a variety of AI-generated material, but is primarily a podcast hosted by comedian Will Sasso and author Chad Krutgen. The company and both men were named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Plaintiffs include Carlin's estate and his executor, Jerrold Hamza.
Carlin, whose comedy career spanned more than 50 years, died of heart failure in 2008 at the age of 71. In the special, Dudecy claims that he used artificial intelligence to go through all of Carlin's recordings and come up with new jokes that he might use in today's joke. world.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
Kelly Carlin McCall, the late comedian's daughter, said in a statement to FOX News Digital: “My father was a legendary comedian, a once-in-a-lifetime talent, and his legacy lies in the body of work he left behind. , that is, his actual work.” Performances, albums, books. ”
Kelly Carlin McCall, George Carlin's daughter, spoke to FOX News Digital about her thoughts on the lawsuit. (Getty Images)
She added, “I understand and share the desire to be more like George Carlin. I also want to spend more time with my father.However, I don't think he has been 'resurrected' by AI.'' It's ridiculous to declare that the “George Carlin'' in that video is “not the beautiful human being who defined his generation and raised me with love.'' It is a shoddy copy, rolled up by unscrupulous people to take advantage of the extraordinary goodwill that has been built up.”
Taylor Swift's AI-generated explicit photo fans furious: “Protect Taylor Swift''
“We have to draw a line in the sand,” she said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “This is going to be a battle on all fronts, especially entertainment.”
“AI may be the most important technology invented in generations, and as such, it will take tremendous effort to prevent it from being misused,” plaintiffs' attorney Josh Schiller told FOX News Digital. “It needs to be controlled and restrained. Otherwise, like the revolutionaries before us,” he said. We risk AI becoming a tool that allows malicious actors to replace creative expression, exploit creators’ existing work, and enrich themselves at the expense of others. This case isn't just about AI, it's about humans. Use AI to violate laws, infringe on intellectual property rights, or disregard common sense. ”
Comedian Will Sasso (left) and author Chad Klugen are behind the media company Dudesy. (Getty Images)
Representatives for the defendants did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
In the special's introduction, which is still posted on Dudesy's YouTube account, a robotic voice proclaims: “I'm Dudesy, the comedy AI, and what you're about to hear is my second hour-long special. “First off, I want to make it clear that what you're about to hear is not George Carlin. This is my impression of George Carlin, created by me in exactly the same way as a human impressionist.”
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Additionally, “I listened to all of George Carlin's songs and did my best to imitate his voice, rhythm, attitude, and subjects that I thought would interest him today.”
Carlin's career as a comedian spanned 50 years. (Kevin Statham/Red Ferns)
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
The special then covers a variety of topics, including religion, politics, social media, and technology.
Carlin McCall previously told FOX News Digital at the release of the special, “My father spent his entire life using his human nature, his brain, his imagination to perfect his craft. There is no substitute for genius. These AI-generated products are a clever attempt to “recreate a mind that will never exist again.” Let the artist's work speak for itself. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She added, “Humans are so afraid of the void that we can't let anything that falls into it stay there.Here's an idea: If you ask a real-life human comedian, What do you think?” he added.
Elizabeth Stanton of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
