Yahoo Lifestyle Scarlett Johansson Responds to Public 'Threat' After New Video Aimed at Kanye West Surfaces: 'No Tolerance'
Scarlett Johansson is speaking out about the AI-generated video that recently went viral after Kanye West's latest anti-semitic rant.
Following the "Heartless" rapper's most recent social media tirade, which was flooded with displays of antisemitism and other hate speech, an unauthorized, AI-manufactured video went viral, depicting Johansson, along with a slew of other celebrities, appearing to speak out against West's actions.
The video—which also featured AI-generated cameos from Jerry Seinfeld, Drake, Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Mila Kunis, Jack Black and Lenny Kravitz—depicted the celebrities wearing white T-shirts with a Star of David in the middle of a hand with the middle finger extended. The word "Kanye" is printed underneath the hand.
The video ends with the message "Enough is Enough" and implores viewers to "Join the Fight Against Antisemitism."
But while Johansson, a Jewish woman, aligns with the effort to condemn hate speech, she issued an impassioned PSA about the growing "threat" of artificial intelligence in the U.S.
"It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends, that an A.I.-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction," the Fly Me to the Moon actress said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. 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."
"I have unfortunately been a very public victim of A.I.," she continued, "but the truth is that the threat of A.I. affects each and every one of us."
Johansson, 40, further warned, "There is a 1000-foot wave coming regarding A.I. that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. 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."
She concluded her message by insisting that legislation to put limits on AI use should be a "top priority" for the U.S. government. "It is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large."
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