Amid his usual social media updates regarding ongoing projects and causes close to his heart, Tom Hanks recently issued a warning to his fans. The actor shared a still image from what he claims is a circulating promotional video featuring an AI-generated version of himself.
In the caption, Hanks wrote, “BEWARE!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it,” signing it with his name and leaving the caption otherwise empty.
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The image does indeed resemble Hanks but with a slightly younger and somewhat unnatural appearance. Hanks did not provide additional information about the source of the video or the identity of those behind it.
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Despite efforts, Parade couldn’t locate the original video in question, leaving the reasons behind Tom Hanks’ warning somewhat unclear. Speculation suggests that Hanks might be concerned about safeguarding his image and likeness, prompting him to alert his fans to the AI-generated content.
Earlier this year, during an appearance on The Adam Buxton Podcast, the 67-year-old actor Tom Hanks shared his thoughts on the progress of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry. He discussed how AI is being used to de-age celebrities and even potentially create entire performances from actors, even after they’ve passed away.
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Hanks highlighted the lasting impact of AI-aided performances, stating, “I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but my performances can go on and on and on.” He pointed out that, from an audience perspective, if done convincingly, it might be hard to distinguish AI-generated content from the real thing. He acknowledged that AI is evolving to a point where it can achieve a significant degree of lifelike quality.
However, Hanks also mentioned the legal complexities surrounding AI-generated content, particularly in negotiations involving organizations like the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA.
When the podcast host suggested that viewers might prefer human performances over AI-generated ones, Hanks raised the question of whether audiences would ultimately care about the distinction, even if they could tell the difference.
Hanks has previously had experience with AI technology in films, notably in “The Polar Express” released in 2004. Still, he acknowledged that AI capabilities have significantly advanced since then, opening up new possibilities and challenges in the world of filmmaking.
