The Need to Halt the Threat to Human Creativity
By Jess Weatherbed, a journalist specializing in creative industries, technology, and online culture. Jess commenced her career at TechRadar, focusing on news coverage and hardware evaluations.
The estate of George Carlin has reached a resolution with a media entity that allegedly utilized generative artificial intelligence to mimic the deceased comedian. This development comes at a time when a coalition advocating for artists such as Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and Stevie Wonder is urging for enhanced protection against AI-driven imitations of performers.
As reported by the New York Times, the creators of the Dudesy podcast, Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, who replicated Carlin in a fabricated comedy special named “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” have agreed to remove the contentious content from all platforms and refrain from re-uploading it as part of the settlement reached on Tuesday. Sasso and Kultgen have also committed to obtaining prior approval from the Carlin estate before featuring Carlin’s voice or likeness in any future content. Details regarding any financial transactions as part of the settlement remain undisclosed.
Josh Schiller, the legal representative for the Carlin estate, emphasized the growing recognition of the capabilities and risks associated with AI tools that can imitate voices, create synthetic images, and manipulate videos. In a statement to the New York Times, Schiller underscored the necessity for proactive legal measures to address this issue, holding AI software companies accountable for the misuse of their technology.
The authenticity of the use of AI in producing the fabricated comedy special was questioned during the legal proceedings in January. Nonetheless, the resolution of this case may offer some comfort to performers currently grappling with the threat posed by generative AI technologies that seek to replicate their vocal nuances, artistic style, and visual presence.
In a united stance on Tuesday, the Artist Rights Alliance, representing a diverse array of musicians including the estates of Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley, penned an open letter urging technology firms to refrain from developing AI tools that could potentially supplant human artists. The letter cautioned against the unchecked advancement of AI, warning that it could trigger a detrimental race to the bottom, devaluing artistic contributions and hindering fair compensation. The collective plea echoed a resounding sentiment: “This onslaught against human ingenuity must be thwarted.”
