Scarlett Johansson has spoken out about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that its misuse poses an “imminent threat” to society. The actress’s comments come after a deepfake video featuring her and other prominent Jewish celebrities was released online, in response to Kanye West’s recent antisemitic remarks.
The AI-generated video, which featured over a dozen celebrities, including Johansson, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Natalie Portman, opened with a deepfake likeness of Johansson criticizing West’s views. The video was set to an electronic version of the Jewish folk song “Hava Nagila” and ended with the slogan: “Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism.”
Johansson has been vocal about her opposition to non-consensual AI use in the past, having previously threatened legal action against OpenAI after the company used a voice resembling hers in its ChatGPT product.
The actress believes that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a greater threat than any individual who engages in it. She urged elected officials to take legislative action against AI abuses, calling it a “bipartisan issue” that affects humanity’s immediate future.
Johansson’s comments highlight the growing concern over AI misuse and its impact on society. The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has reported that fake adverts featuring celebrities remain the most common type of scam advert appearing online.
As AI technology continues to advance, it is essential for individuals and governments to address these concerns and work towards a safer online environment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/13/scarlett-johansson-ai-kanye-west-deepfake