The lawsuit between the George Carlin estate and the company responsible for releasing a comedy special titled ‘I’m Glad I’m Dead,’ allegedly generated by artificial intelligence and imitating the late comedian, has been settled.
As per Variety’s report, the Dudesy podcast and YouTube channel took down the contentious video and all references to Carlin from their online platforms after the lawsuit was filed. In the settlement, they agreed not to repost the video and are prohibited from using Carlin’s image, voice, or likeness in any future content. Hosted by Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, Dudesy must adhere to these restrictions.
Kelly Carlin, George Carlin’s daughter, expressed satisfaction with the swift and amicable resolution, criticizing the video as a “casual theft of a great American artist’s work” when it was initially released in January 2024.
Despite the unfortunate incident, she hopes that this case will raise awareness about the risks associated with AI technologies and the necessity for adequate safeguards to protect not only artists and creators but all individuals.
Initially attributing the special to AI, Dudesy later clarified that it was written by a human and then processed through an AI voice generator. The video description stated an attempt to emulate George Carlin’s distinctive style in discussing contemporary topics.
In a related context, prominent voice actors in the video game industry have expressed mixed feelings about AI’s impact. While AI technology garnered significant attention in 2023, its reception shifted from enthusiasm to skepticism as various creative sectors criticized AI-generated art.
Attorney Joshua Schiller, representing the Carlin estate, hailed the settlement as a positive resolution and a potential model for addressing similar disputes involving AI infringement on artists’ or public figures’ rights. He emphasized the importance of proactive legal intervention and underscored the accountability that AI software companies should bear in such cases.
Ryan Dinsdale, a freelance reporter for IGN, is known for his extensive coverage of The Witcher series and his passion for discussing it.
