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<h2>Zelda Williams Calls Out AI Deepfakes of Her Father, Robin Williams</h2>
<p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, shares a heartfelt message regarding AI-generated content featuring her father.</p>
<h3>A Plea to Fans: Stop Sending AI Videos</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a candid Instagram story, Zelda expressed her frustration: “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad. It’s not something I want to see or can comprehend. If you have any decency, just cease this behavior—for him, for me, and for everyone. It’s not only pointless but also disrespectful.”</p>
<h3>Context Behind the Outcry: New AI Technologies</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Zelda's emotional response comes shortly after the launch of OpenAI's Sora 2 video model and <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/03/openais-sora-soars-to-no-1-on-the-u-s-app-store/">Sora</a>, a social app that enables users to create highly realistic <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/openais-new-social-app-is-filled-with-terrifying-sam-altman-deepfakes/">deepfakes</a> of themselves and others, including deceased individuals.</p>
<h3>The Ethics of Deepfakes and the Deceased</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Legally, creating deepfakes of deceased individuals might not be considered libel, as per the <a target="_blank" href="https://splc.org/2019/10/can-you-libel-a-dead-person/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Student Press Law Center</a>. However, many believe this raises significant ethical concerns.</p>
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<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="546" width="680" src="https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/zelda-williams-deepfakes.jpg?w=680" alt="Zelda Williams on the implications of deepfakes" class="wp-image-3054964"/>
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<h3>Deepfake Accessibility and Its Implications</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With the Sora app, users can create videos of historical figures and celebrities who have passed away, such as Robin Williams. However, the platform does not allow the same for living individuals without permission, raising questions about the treatment of the deceased in digital media.</p>
<h3>OpenAI's Policies on Deepfake Content</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">OpenAI has yet to clarify its stance on deepfake content involving deceased individuals, but there are indications that their practices may fall within legal boundaries. Critics argue that the company's approach is reckless, particularly in light of recent developments.</p>
<h3>Preserving Legacy Amidst Digital Manipulation</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Zelda voiced her concerns about the integrity of people's legacies being reduced to mere digital imitations: “It’s maddening to see real individuals turned into vague caricatures for mindless entertainment.”</p>
<h3>The Broader Debate: Copyright and Ethics in AI</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As AI technology continues to evolve, concerns surrounding copyright and ethical usage are at the forefront. Critics like the Motion Picture Association have called on OpenAI to implement stronger guidelines to protect creators’ rights.</p>
<h3>The Future of AI and Responsibility</h3>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With Sora leading in realistic deepfake generation, the potential for misuse is alarming. If the industry fails to establish responsible practices, we risk treating both living and deceased individuals as mere playthings.</p>
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Here are five FAQs with answers based on the theme "You can’t libel the dead. But that doesn’t mean you should deepfake them."
FAQ 1: What does it mean that you can’t libel the dead?
Answer: Libel pertains to false statements that damage a person’s reputation. Since a deceased individual cannot suffer reputational harm, they cannot be libeled. However, ethical implications still arise when discussing their legacy.
FAQ 2: What are deepfakes, and how are they created?
Answer: Deepfakes are synthetic media in which a person’s likeness is altered or replaced using artificial intelligence. This technology can create realistic videos or audio but raises ethical concerns, especially when depicting deceased individuals.
FAQ 3: Why is it unethical to create deepfakes of deceased individuals?
Answer: Creating deepfakes of the deceased often disrespects their memory and can misrepresent their views or actions, potentially misleading the public and harming the reputations of living individuals associated with them.
FAQ 4: Are there legal repercussions for creating deepfakes of the dead?
Answer: While you can’t libel the dead, producing deepfakes may still lead to legal issues if they violate copyright, personality rights, or other laws, especially if used for malicious purposes or financial gain.
FAQ 5: How can society address the ethical concerns surrounding deepfakes of deceased individuals?
Answer: Societal solutions include creating clear ethical guidelines for AI technologies, promoting respectful portrayals of the deceased, and encouraging platforms to regulate deepfake content to prevent abuse and misrepresentation.