George Carlin's estate has reached a settlement with a media company that allegedly used generative artificial intelligence to imitate the late comedian. The decision comes as groups representing artists such as Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj and Stevie Wonder call for better protection for performers from copying by AI technology.
by new york timesWill Sasso and Chad Krutgen – Dudesy podcast creators who imitated Carlin in a fabricated comedy special titled “George Carlin: “I'm glad I died''” – As part of the settlement reached on Tuesday, they agreed to take the content in question offline and not upload it to any platform. Mr. Sassou and Mr. Krutgen also agreed not to use Carlin's voice or likeness in any content they produce without prior approval from the Carlin Foundation. Information regarding the payment and receipt of money in the settlement has not been disclosed.
“The world is beginning to realize the power and potential dangers inherent in AI tools that can mimic voices, generate fake photos, and alter videos.”
“The world is beginning to realize the power and potential danger inherent in AI tools that can imitate audio, generate fake photos, and alter videos,” said an attorney representing the Carlin estate. Josh Schiller said in a statement. new york times on tuesday. “This is not a problem that will go away on its own. We must take swift and strong action in the courts, and there must be some accountability from AI software companies whose technology is being weaponized.”
Was it AI? actually Its use in the production of a fabricated comedy special was the subject of a lawsuit in January. Either way, the resolution of this case may bring some relief to performers who are currently battling generative AI tools used to mimic their voices, styles, and looks.
On Tuesday, the Artist Rights Alliance, an organization representing more than 200 musicians, including the estates of Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley, warned technology companies that they could use AI tools that risk replacing human performers. signed an open letter calling for the development of “Unchecked, AI will begin a race to the bottom, devaluing our work and preventing us from getting just compensation for it,” the letter said. has been written. “Such attacks on human creativity must stop.”