OpenAI’s Sora2 has banned the use of celebrity likenesses and copyrighted characters in its AI-generated videos following growing criticism from celebrities and entertainment leaders.
Sora 2 creates AI-generated videos using text prompts and uploaded analogies. Users can scroll through these videos on a social video platform modeled on TikTok.
The initial release of the platform allowed users to use images of actors who had not opted in or uploaded their likenesses. a viral video Michael Jackson is shown taking a selfie with Bryan Cranston as his character Walter White.
Well, this seemingly (and justifiably) upset Cranston, who reported it to SAG.
And he’s not the only celebrity to complain. Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, posted online that people should stop sending videos made of her father.
“Please, stop sending me dad AI videos,” Zelda Williams posted on her Instagram Stories. BBC). “Stop believing I want to see it or that I’ll understand it, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re trying to troll me, I’ve seen worse. I’ll stop and move on. But please, if you have any decency, just stop doing this to her and me, to everyone, even full stop. It’s silly, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s that Not what he wanted.”
We’ve recently seen statements against AI tools from talent agencies like CAA and organizations like the Motion Picture Association.
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In response, OpenAI is working to limit the use of celebrity likenesses.
Cranston gave a statement on Monday Via SAG-AFTRA. (The release is a joint statement from SAG, OpenAI, Cranston, United Talent Agency, Creative Artists Agency and the Association of Talent Agents.)
The actor said, “I was very concerned not only for myself, but for all the artists whose work and identity could be misused in this way.” “I am grateful to OpenAI for improving its policy and its guardrails, and hope that they, and all companies involved in this work, will respect our personal and commercial right to manage the replication of our voice and likeness.”
SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin said, “Bryan Cranston is one of countless artists whose voice and likeness are at risk of rampant abuse by replication technology. Bryan did the right thing by communicating with his union and his professional representatives to address this matter.”
Astin called the move a “positive solution.”
“I am pleased that OpenAI has committed to using an opt-in protocol, where all artists have the ability to choose whether or not they want to participate in the exploitation of their voice and likeness using AI. This policy must be sustainable, and I thank all stakeholders, including OpenAI, for working together to ensure appropriate protections are enshrined in law.”
However, there is a drawback
As newsweek Turns out, it seems Sora users are still able to create videos of dead celebrities. We’ve already mentioned Robin Williams, but there are also videos that feature Elvis, Tupac, The Queen, Martin Luther King Jr., and others.
OpenAI was to address the issue of the Kings estate, which protested the video featuring the civil rights leader.
one in Social media post on October 16The company said, “Some users have found depictions of Dr. King’s image offensive. Therefore, at the request of King, Inc., OpenAI has stopped genealogical depictions of Dr. King because it reinforces guardrails for historical figures. While there are strong free speech interests in portraying historical figures, OpenAI believes that public figures and their families should ultimately have control over how their likenesses are used. Authorized Representative Or the property owner may request that their likeness not be used in Sora Cameos.”
It is unclear what protections there are for public figures who have no remaining family or estate to oversee their image.
We will keep an eye on the story.