Why Hollywood Fights AI: Protecting Performers in the Age of Digital Replicas

Just imagine a future where actors do not only draft wills to manage their property but also create a list of forbidden activities – detailing what they can’t be made “to do” after death. A kind of ‘afterlife rider’. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s rapidly becoming a reality.  However, such measures may become routine with the digital cloning industry evolving. Right now artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we think about personal identity and legacy after death.

While actors usually dream of immortality on the silver screen, those who are famous have already achieved it in a way. We can see their faces and hear their voices in countless films. But should we use AI-generated replicas of these performers after they're gone? 

I am not sure I want to see my favorite actors in new projects after they’ve passed away. There’s something unsettling about it. But many other people are thrilled by the idea.

I can understand it when actors pass away unexpectedly, leaving unfinished projects behind. But what about situations without this necessity? The debate has been heating up ever since AI became sophisticated enough to create digital clones, nearly indistinguishable from real people. 

Hollywood's battle with artificial intelligence is escalating. Members of the industry are worried they might be replaced with digital copies. California regulators are now actively involved in drafting AI legislation. One of the bills awaiting approval from Governor Gavin Newsom aims to prevent unauthorized AI replicas of deceased performers. Under this law, anyone wishing to create a digital clone of a late actor must first obtain their family’s consent.

We see how AI is reshaping entertainment. Its potential is amazing, but we must be careful to prevent the blurring of ethical boundaries.

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