Tom Hanks Sets the Record Straight about Viral Dental Services Ad: Unmasking the AI Phenomenon

Tom Hanks is clarifying the situation.

The renowned actor, who has won the prestigious Academy Award twice, took to Instagram on Saturday, September 30, to alert his fans about a viral video advertisement. The video falsely appears to show Hanks endorsing a dental plan but in reality, it is a computer-generated deep fake created by artificial intelligence.

Hanks, aged 67, shared a screenshot of the video, cautioning everyone about a dental plan advertisement featuring an AI version of himself. He clarified that he has no association with it by stating, "BEWARE!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it. – Tom Hanks."

Hanks has previously addressed the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and deep fake technology in the film industry. During an interview on Adam Buxton's podcast in April, he disclosed that discussions are taking place within various guilds, agencies, and legal firms to establish the legal implications of using one's face, voice, and other aspects as intellectual property.

The actor contemplated the potential of AI-generated films featuring his own likeness, referring to it as a "real possibility".

"I could easily propose a series of seven movies where I would play the lead role, portraying myself at 32 years old for an indefinite period," Hanks explained to Buxton. "Thanks to AI or deep fake technology, anyone can now transform their appearance and embody different ages."

Hanks mentioned that even after his demise, movies featuring an AI replica of himself could be created, without any noticeable difference between the AI version and himself. However, he acknowledged that this idea poses both artistic and legal challenges.

Celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Tom Cruise, and Taylor Swift have frequently fallen victim to deep fake videos, with the false dentist advertisement being just one example.

In response to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Hollywood is taking steps to stay ahead. The recent Writers Guild of America strike, starting in May and concluding last month, led to the establishment of new safeguards to prevent AI from completely replacing writers in the industry.

Studios are no longer allowed to employ AI technology to write or edit scripts that have already been created by human writers. Furthermore, AI-generated scripts cannot be utilized as "source material" for writers to adapt at a reduced cost.

In addition, writers have the option to use AI machines like ChatGPT, but they cannot be coerced to do so. It is mandatory for studios to inform writers if any material given to them has been generated using AI technology. These updated terms safeguard writers' rights and guarantee the stability of their jobs and income in light of these technological advancements.

Meanwhile, legislation continues to lag behind. There is currently no federal law that prohibits the use of deep fake technology in the United States.

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Tom Hanks