Robert Downey Jr. Warns Hollywood About AI
On a recent podcast episode of On With Kara Swisher, veteran actor Robert Downey Jr. sounded off on his thoughts about AI likenesses of stars in films, and the Iron Man star didn’t pull any punches. Downey pronounced a legal threat to any future studios who might be tempted to use his digital likeness with the controversial technology, warning that he intends “to sue all future executives” who might “sign off” on generating his replica. Whether it’s a deep fake or an AI creation of one of his previous roles, the actor is adamantly against their use.
This prompted the show’s host to ask Robert Downey Jr. about whether or not the actor is worried about studios using an AI-generated likeness in any future Marvel Cinematic Universe production. But the Oscar-winner seemed more relaxed about the idea of the minds behind those films committing that offense. “I am not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul,” he said, maintaining that the group that makes the decisions for the MCU movies “would never do that to me, with or without me.
No Post-Death Appearances
Robert Downey Jr. was further questioned by Kara Swisher about the prospect of his likeness being used in the distant future. When it comes to AI, the technology will far outlast the actor’s lifespan, a point she made to Downey. “You’ll be dead,” she pointed out.
But Robert Downey Jr. was quick to quip back that the legal team that represents him will live on and “be very active.” His threats of suing those behind any future AI likeness seems poised to continue beyond the grave as he held fast to his earlier points of his estate bringing forth lawsuits.
Vocal Opposition To OpenAI
Robert Downey Jr.’s opinions about AI in Hollywood isn’t a new thing. The actor is in the midst of performing in the Broadway production of the play McNeal, where he “takes aim” at the mega-corporations behind AI, namely OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The actor kept Altman in his sights during the podcast interview, stating that the mentality is a major turnoff for him, and he’ll refuse to associate with them because he doesn’t see any of the players behind AI as being “truthful.”
Aside from McNeal, Robert Downey Junior is preparing to make a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But the actor won’t be reprising his role of Tony Stark/Iron Man any time soon. Rather, Downey will be playing the part of supervillain Doctor Doom, beginning with the 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday.
The Battle Against AI Is Still Ongoing
The Robert Downey Jr. battle against AI is but one against the technology that has been making the news in 2024. Two days ago, California Governor Gavin Newsom made headlines when he vetoed what was considered a landmark bill that attempted to create safety measures against artificial intelligence. Fearing the lack of oversight for the rapidly growing technology, proponents of the bill pushed for hefty regulations on large-scale AI models in the state of California, but was killed by Newsom.
The Democratic Governor warned that the bill took things too far, and would severely limit the capabilities needed by some tech startups and other homegrown businesses. Instead, the state’s chief executive vowed to work with industry experts to establish “guardrails” around the powerful AI models at the center of the debate.
Sources: On With Kara Swisher
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