The creators of an online comedy platform that purported to replicate the distinctive style and humor of the late writer are currently facing legal repercussions from George Carlin.
In a recent lawsuit filed in the Central District of California, it is alleged that the one-hour feature titled “George Carlin: Happy I’m Dead” infringed on copyright laws by supposedly being authored, narrated, and illustrated by an AI system trained on the extensive repertoire of his comedic performances.
Josh Schiller, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that the issue extends beyond artificial intelligence, highlighting the misuse of AI to violate intellectual property rights and ethical standards.
The contentious video, which was removed from public view following the legal action, introduces “Dudesy,” an advanced entertainment AI claiming to emulate the comedic styles of human hosts Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen by analyzing their private correspondences.
Despite requests for input from Sasso and Kultgen’s legal representatives, no immediate responses were provided. The program delves into humor with AI-generated visuals after proclaiming to mimic Carlin’s voice, cadence, and topical interests.
The segment includes commentary on various topics such as mass shootings, transgender athletes, and wealth inequality, interspersed with a laugh track.
This lawsuit is just one among several legal battles confronting AI companies utilizing online data for training purposes. Notably, OpenAI faced accusations of intellectual property infringement from renowned authors like Jodi Picoult and George R. R. Martin.
Critics on social media, particularly Carlin enthusiasts, expressed disappointment with the Dudesy production, questioning its authenticity in capturing Carlin’s essence. Carlin, revered as a counterculture comedy icon, was a prominent figure in stand-up for over five decades until his passing in 2008.
Concerns were raised regarding the authenticity of the AI involvement in the show, with some suggesting that the hosts implied Dudesy’s comedic prowess surpassed that of actual AI capabilities.
The lawsuit contends that Sasso, Kultgen, and associated parties misrepresented the video as an AI-generated resurrection of Carlin, exploiting his legacy for commercial gain.
Kelly Carlin, George Carlin’s daughter, vehemently opposed the online dissemination of the video, asserting that the AI rendition does not authentically reflect her father’s persona and exploits his devoted fan base.
The legal action targets Sasso, Kultgen, Dudesy LLC, and numerous unnamed individuals linked to the AI software and the production, alleging an unauthorized appropriation of Carlin’s persona for training AI models.
The lawsuit underscores the deceptive nature of presenting the Dudesy Special as a reincarnation of Carlin, whether entirely AI-generated or aided by AI tools to mimic his style more accurately. The defendants are accused of misleadingly marketing the content as a technological revival of the beloved comedian’s legacy.
