Zelda Williams Urges End to AI Recreations of Robin Williams

Zelda Williams implored people to stop sending her AI videos of her late father, denouncing them as disrespectful and dehumanizing. Her comments revive her earlier criticism of AI and align with wider backlash against AI performers like Tilly Norwood, which unions and actors say lack human authenticity. The creator of Norwood defends the project as art, underscoring the ongoing divide over AI in entertainment.

Key Points

Zelda Williams asked the public to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her late father, calling them disrespectful and not what he would have wanted.
She condemned the social media trend of animating deceased people and framed AI content as derivative, dehumanizing, and exploitative.
Williams has previously backed SAG-Aftra’s anti-AI stance, calling AI recreations of her father’s voice personally disturbing.
The controversy parallels backlash against the AI “actor” Tilly Norwood, criticized by SAG-Aftra and actors like Emily Blunt; the creator defended it as art that sparks conversation.
The episode underscores a broader industry debate about AI, authenticity, consent, and the treatment of artists’ legacies.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment is highly contentious and divided. While many commenters agree with Zelda Williams' ethical concerns regarding AI-generated likenesses of deceased individuals and the disrespect it represents, there is significant disagreement on the most effective course of action (legal vs. personal appeal) and a strong counter-narrative from those who view AI as a neutral tool, an inevitable technological advance, or believe individuals should manage their own online exposure. There's a clear tension between ethical alarm regarding AI's impact on human dignity and a more pragmatic or utilitarian view of technology.

In Agreement

Sending AI-generated videos of deceased loved ones to their family is disrespectful, ghoulish, emotionally manipulative, and dehumanizing.
AI content, particularly recreations of human likenesses, degrades the legacies of real people and the authenticity of art and history, often resulting in 'slop'.
A direct plea to stop such behavior is a valid and necessary first step, appealing to common decency before resorting to legal measures.
The argument that 'technology is neutral' is often a cop-out; some technologies, like AI in this context, are highly susceptible to misuse or designed for harmful purposes, leading to predictable negative outcomes.
There is no inherent 'upside' to creating AI simulacra of deceased people, especially when shared unsolicited.
The broader trend of AI contributes to societal problems such as job displacement, the commodification of talent, and the spread of emotionally manipulative content (e.g., AI victim impact statements in court).

Opposed

Zelda Williams should pursue legal action against AI content creation companies, as existing laws protecting likeness rights (e.g., in California) and legal precedents offer a more effective solution than pleading.
Direct appeals are often ineffective on the internet, where they can be ignored by many or even lead to a 'Streisand effect' that encourages more unwanted content.
Legal action against the myriad of global AI entities, open-source models, and varying jurisdictions is impractical, costly, and unlikely to fully stop the creation and sharing of such content.
Individuals distressed by online content should take personal responsibility by ignoring, blocking, or leaving social media platforms, as they control their exposure.
AI is a neutral tool whose impact depends on its usage; not all AI-generated content is bad, and it can be a legitimate form of creative expression, with some artists even embracing it.
AI is useful for various tasks (e.g., transcription, marketing, VFX), and while it may displace jobs, this is a natural part of technological progress and revolutions, which also create new opportunities.
The pursuit of knowledge and scientific exploration, even with potentially dangerous technologies, is a fundamental human drive that should not be curtailed, and it's better to understand more than less about the universe's properties.