Hollywood icon Tom Hanks has issued a strong warning to his fans about fraudulent advertisements featuring AI-generated versions of his likeness and voice promoting various products without his authorization.
The Academy Award-winning actor took to social media to address the issue, specifically calling out ads promoting "miracle cures and wonder drugs" that have been appearing across the internet. Hanks, who has type 2 diabetes, emphasized that he only works with board-certified medical professionals for his treatment.
"These ads have been created without my consent, fraudulently and through AI," Hanks stated, urging his followers not to be deceived or waste their money on these fake promotions.
This isn't an isolated incident for the "Forrest Gump" star. In October 2023, he had to address another unauthorized AI-generated advertisement that featured him promoting a dental plan.
The problem extends beyond Hanks, affecting numerous other celebrities. Country music star Luke Combs faced similar issues with AI-generated ads promoting weight loss gummies. Television personalities Piers Morgan and Oprah Winfrey have also been targeted by deepfake advertisements.
The entertainment industry has started taking legal action against such unauthorized AI usage. Recently, actress Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Lisa AI for allegedly using her image and voice in their promotional materials. She also challenged OpenAI over voice appropriation concerns.
As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, the unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses in advertising continues to raise serious concerns about digital rights and consumer protection. Hanks' warning serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant about AI-generated content and verify the authenticity of celebrity endorsements.