Actor Tom Hanks questions AI use - 30th Oct 2023

Is that the real Tom Hanks or not? Recently, the Oscar-winner saw himself in an advert for dental care. The actor had never performed in it, received any payment or given permission.

That Tom Hanks was created with artificial intelligence (AI), something which is becoming increasingly worrying for actors. Gayle King, a US presenter, has talked about how a fake version of herself was used to sell pills for losing weight. There are many other examples of AI images which are used for propaganda or for fake news.

Hanks has actually made good use of technology in his work. Even 20 years ago, the animated film 'The Polar Express' included a computer-generated version (CGI) of himself. Very recently, in 2022, he acted in 'A Man Named Otto', where AI transformed Hanks into a younger man.

However, celebrities are seriously worried about examples of AI which are created without permission.

In a podcast interview recently, Hanks said an AI Tom Hanks could continue after his death. He said, "I could be hit by a bus tomorrow, and that's it, but performances go on and on … there'll be nothing to tell you that it's not me."

In recent months, actors who belong to the SAG-AFTRA union went on strike over pay, but also over AI being used to replace actors.

While Tom Hanks may not actually be involved in selling dental plans, he will make use of AI in his next film. AI technology will again take years off him.

But is that really him up there?