A media company that employed artificial intelligence to create a comedy special mimicking the iconic style of the late comedian George Carlin is facing a lawsuit from his estate.
The special, named “George Carlin: I’m Glad I Was Dead,” was released earlier this month. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, demands that Dudesy, the studio responsible for the special, take down the controversial film promptly. Additionally, the estate is seeking unspecified damages.
The complaint alleges that the individuals involved did not have the rights to use Carlin’s likeness in the AI-generated production, nor did they possess a valid license to do so.
George Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin-Chall, emphasized that her father’s legacy lies in his authentic body of work, including live performances, albums, and books. She expressed her disapproval of the AI-generated imitation of her father, stating that it does not capture his true essence.
In response to the situation, the estate’s attorney, Josh Schiller, highlighted the importance of regulating AI technology to prevent misuse that infringes on intellectual property rights and ethical boundaries.
Despite these legal actions, Dudesy’s AI-generated content, featuring imitations of George Carlin discussing various contemporary topics, remains accessible on their YouTube channel.
While the defendants’ attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment, the controversy surrounding the unauthorized use of Carlin’s image and likeness in the AI-generated production continues to unfold.
The dispute underscores the ongoing debate over the ethical implications of AI technology in creative industries and the need to uphold the integrity of artists’ original works.
