Actor Tom Hanks is facing a disturbing issue as his voice is allegedly being used fraudulently to promote pharmaceuticals on social media and tech platforms. Legal experts have pointed out that there are currently insufficient federal and state laws regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate the voices or likenesses of public figures. GPTZero CEO Edward Tian emphasized the need for laws to catch up with AI use, stating that people have been able to create AI-generated content of celebrities without facing legal consequences.
Hanks took to social media this week to warn his fans about the AI cloning, expressing his frustration over multiple ads falsely using his name, likeness, and voice to promote miracle cures and wonder drugs. He stated that these ads were created without his consent through AI technology. However, he did not disclose the names of the companies involved in this fraudulent activity.
The availability of commercial and open-source AI tools has contributed significantly to this problem. Vijay Balasubramaniyan, CEO and co-founder of Pindrop, a software technology company in Atlanta, highlighted the importance of vigilant consumers, improved social media oversight, better control mechanisms for commercial AI-generation tools, and regulations that increase costs for fraudsters in tackling this challenge.
Tom Hanks is not alone in experiencing such issues. Country singer Lainey Wilson also claims to be a victim of AI voice cloning. She testified before a Congressional Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet earlier this year in support of the No AI Fraud Act. Wilson stressed that protection against deep fakes created by AI is crucial not only for artists but also for fans who may fall victim to scams or false endorsements.
To address these concerns effectively, both federal and state laws are necessary. Attorney Mark Hirsch emphasized policymakers’ need to act swiftly as advancements in AI continue so as not to compromise privacy rights or allow exploitation through scams or false endorsements involving celebrities’ voices and images.
The unauthorized use of a celebrity’s AI voice or image can severely damage their brand reputation while eroding public trust. Bitmind CEO Ken Miyachi urged celebrities and the general public alike to demand stricter measures from social media platforms regarding unauthorized voice cloning content removal.
It remains essential for lawmakers worldwide to establish comprehensive regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence technologies concerning public figures’ voices or likenesses while protecting individuals from potential harm caused by fraudulent activities exploiting advanced technologies like deep fakes.