Scarlett Johansson Condemns Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in Viral Deepfake Video

Actress Scarlett Johansson has lashed out against the misuse of artificial intelligence after a deepfake video emerged, falsely depicting her and other Jewish celebrities criticizing Kanye West.

The controversial video quickly gained traction online, showcasing an AI-altered version of Johansson donning a T-shirt adorned with a raised middle finger and a Star of David, alongside Kanye West's name emblazoned below.

In addition to Johansson, the deepfake clip featured manipulated images of Mila Kunis, Jack Black, Mark Zuckerberg, Lenny Kravitz, Drake, Steven Spielberg, and Jerry Seinfeld, all seemingly taking a stand against the rapper.

The video culminates with an AI-rendered Adam Sandler making an offensive gesture while the traditional Jewish tune Hava Nagila plays in the background.

Johansson, in response to the video, issued a statement underscoring the risks associated with AI being used to propagate false information.

"I am a Jewish woman who vehemently opposes anti-Semitism and all forms of hate speech," the Black Widow star expressed. "The amplified potential for hate speech through the misuse of AI poses a far greater danger than any individual accountable for it."

She concluded her statement by cautioning against the normalization of AI manipulation in distorting reality.

"We must speak up against the misapplication of AI, regardless of its narrative, to prevent the erosion of truth," Johansson emphasized.

The deepfake controversy unfolded following West's sale of a controversial T-shirt on his Yeezy web store and a series of antisemitic statements made by the rapper, prompting swift backlash and subsequent deactivation of his online platforms, which have since been reinstated.