Scarlett Johansson is calling on the government to pass a law limiting the use of AI after a video featuring an AI deepfake of the actress circulated online. In a statement to People, Johansson said, “It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of A.I.”
The video in question shows Johansson, along with other Jewish celebrities including Jerry Seinfeld, Mila Kunis, Jack Black, Drake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Adam Sandler, and others, wearing a t-shirt that shows the name “Kanye” along with an image of a middle finger that has the Star of David in the center. Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) returned to X last week to post antisemitic comments. He also began selling shirts with a swastika on his website, which has since been taken down.
“I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind,” Johansson said, according to People. “But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by A.I. is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of A.I., no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”
Johansson said that she urges lawmakers “to make the passing of legislation limiting A.I. use a top priority,” adding that “it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large.” Johansson has been outspoken about AI since the technology started becoming more accessible. In 2023, she sued an AI app developer for using her name and likeness in an online ad. She later called out OpenAI for using a voice that sounded a lot like hers in ChatGPT, leading OpenAI to stop using the voice.
Last year, lawmakers introduced a bill to combat sexually explicit deepfakes, but there has been little movement on other forms of AI regulation. California governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a major AI safety bill in September 2024, while President Donald Trump reversed Joe Biden’s executive order to establish safety guidelines for AI. This week, the US and UK also declined to sign an international AI declaration that promotes the “ethical” use of the technology.