In a recent turn of events, “CBS Morning” co-hosts, the legendary Tom Hanks and the charismatic Gayle King, took to social media to caution their fans about the deceptive use of artificial intelligence in advertising.
Gayle King, in a candid Instagram post, expressed her concern about a video that was being circulated. “I’ve been inundated with messages about this video promoting a product I’ve never endorsed,” she shared. The video in question was a manipulated version of a legitimate post she had made earlier, promoting her radio show. To make matters worse, the doctored video was overlaid with her own messages, misleading viewers about her so-called weight loss “secret”. King’s message was clear, “Beware of AI-generated videos. I’ve never endorsed this product!”
Tom Hanks echoed King’s sentiments in his own way. Over the weekend, he warned his followers about ads promoting dental plans using an AI version of himself. “This isn’t me, folks,” he cautioned, sharing a screenshot of the dubious ad. The details about the companies behind these ads remain murky, with Hanks refraining from naming them and no video evidence available online.
When approached for comments, Hanks’ representative chose to remain silent on the matter, leaving questions about potential legal actions unanswered. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Meta, Instagram’s parent company, emphasized their stance against deceptive advertising. “We’re committed to fighting such malpractices and have ramped up our enforcement actions,” they stated.
CBS News’ Krista Robinson revealed that King became aware of the misleading video when friends brought it to her attention. “We’ve been actively seeking its removal,” she added.
The entertainment industry is no stranger to the challenges posed by AI. Lawyers and guilds are grappling with the implications of AI, especially when it comes to using actors’ likenesses without consent. The SAG-AFTRA union, representing Hollywood actors, has expressed its concerns about AI’s potential misuse.
Tom Hanks, in a podcast earlier this year, reminisced about his first encounter with similar technology during the making of the 2004 film “Polar Express”. He mused about the potential of AI and deepfake technology, “Imagine recreating oneself at any age. It’s both an artistic and a legal challenge.”
As AI continues to weave itself into the fabric of our lives, it raises pertinent questions about data security, accuracy, and potential misuse. The journey to regulating AI is just beginning, and as of now, there are more questions than answers.
Reported by Christine Houser