OpenAI Takes Action Against Deepfake Videos of Martin Luther King Jr.
OpenAI has decided to take a stand against deepfake videos of Martin Luther King Jr., following complaints from his family about the “disrespectful portrayals” of the civil rights icon.
The company revealed that “some users depicted an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in an inappropriate manner.” They added that, at the request of King’s family, OpenAI has paused the generation of videos featuring him to tighten controls around representations of historical figures.
While OpenAI expressed its commitment to free speech, it ultimately emphasized that public figures and their families should have authority over how their likenesses are used.
The company also mentioned that representatives and estate owners can reach out to request that their images not appear in AI-generated videos.
Bernice A. King, the youngest daughter of the late civil rights leader, reached out to OpenAI to have a specific deepfake removed, according to the statement.
Sora 2, a text-to-video app developed by OpenAI, was launched just last month and has already faced criticism for its ability to generate lifelike videos without sufficient safety measures.
This app created videos that mock deceased celebrities long after their passing. For instance, some clips show physicist Stephen Hawking, who passed away in 2018, being humorously depicted in unrealistic scenarios with a WWE wrestler.
There’s also a fabricated video of Elvis Presley’s last performance, showcasing him in a questionable light after his death in 1977.
Zelda Williams, daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams, has also expressed her concerns about AI-generated content resembling her father, describing such portrayals as “disturbing.” In her recent Instagram post, she noted the desire of some to use AI to recreate personalities of their own choosing, a reality she finds unsettling.
Moreover, Williams pointed out that AI is now capable of mimicking voices to say whatever users wish, a notion she finds offensive. Her comments highlight the broader implications for living actors, who deserve the opportunity to shape their characters based on personal creativity.
Hollywood unions and talent agencies have been vocal in targeting OpenAI for its inadequate protective measures for actors, particularly after the emergence of the so-called AI actress Tilly Norwood.
In a joint statement earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin and Irish National Director-General Duncan Crabtree reminded the public that humans—not technology—are the ones who truly inspire.
They criticized tech companies for creating “sensational narratives” that manipulate public perception and enable exploitation.
Actor Scarlett Johansson has similarly accused OpenAI of releasing an AI chatbot that bears an “eerily” close resemblance to her voice despite her refusal to allow licensing.
Recently, Tom Hanks warned that an AI-generated video circulating online falsely promoted a “dental scheme” using his name and image, which had “nothing to do with” him.
