YouTube has teamed up with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to launch a new technology that will help celebrities and content creators manage AI-generated videos that feature their likenesses.
YouTube will work with the Los Angeles-based talent agency to recruit celebrities, including award-winning actors and professional athletes, to test out the novel AI tool beginning early next year, the statement reads.
“By collaborating with CAA, we’ll gain insight from some of the world’s most influential figures—some of whom have been significantly impacted by the latest waves of AI innovation—to refine our product before releasing it to a wider group of creators and artists,” noted YouTube.
According to YouTube, the technology will also enable users to easily submit requests through the company’s privacy complaint process to remove AI-generated content that depicts their likeness, such as their face or voice.
The company said it will broaden its testing pool over the next few months to encompass “top YouTube creators, creative professionals, and other leading partners representing talent.”
In a statement, YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, said the platform was thrilled with the collaboration.
“In the days ahead, we’ll work with CAA to ensure artists and creators experience the incredible potential of AI while also maintaining creative control over their likeness,” he said. “This partnership marks a significant step toward building that future.”
Bryan Lourd, CAA’s CEO and co-chairman, echoed Mohan’s sentiment.
“Neal and I started speaking earlier this year about the importance of creating a responsible AI ecosystem that protects artists, while unlocking new possibilities for creative expression,” he said.
AI Deepfakes
An increasing number of public figures have become the victims of online scams that use artificial intelligence to create videos or images that appear to be from the celebrity.Last year, Tom Hanks posted a warning on his Instagram account, alerting his followers that his digital likeness was being used in an unnamed dental plan.
Hanks issued a subsequent public service announcement in August of this year, claiming that his likeness was again being used in AI-generated ads without his authorization.
“These ads have been created without my consent, fraudulently and through AI. I have nothing to do with these posts or products and treatments, or the spokespeople touting these cures. ... Do not be fooled. Do not be swindled. Do not lose your hard earned money.”
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have also been targeted online.
On Dec. 6, the Alberta, Canada-based Edmonton Police Service (EPS) announced that it was investigating more than 170 investment scams, which had defrauded locals out of nearly $13 million throughout the year.
“These advertisements are reported to often feature what appear to be authentic video clips of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Elon Musk endorsing this investment scheme,” the EPS stated, noting that the doctored videos were primarily used on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok.
“With technology advancing at rapid speeds, we are seeing an increased number of scams that are using Artificial Intelligence to generate false endorsements from popular public figures related to investments,” Trevor Semotiuk, a detective with the EPS Financial Crimes Section, said in a statement.
“If you think you’ve been a victim of this scam, please don’t hesitate to contact police. Your report will help us to understand just how misleading and technologically advanced these investment scams can be.”
