Exploring the Popular AI-Generated Video Depicting Famous Figures Criticizing Ye's Antisemitic Statements
In a captivating social media video making waves, over a dozen renowned personalities, seemingly Jewish celebrities, condemn artist Ye for his latest barrage of hateful remarks against their community. However, as it turns out, this video is not born out of genuine frustration but is in fact, the product of advanced artificial intelligence.
Ed Krassenstein, a popular writer and entrepreneur, shared the black and white clip with his 1 million followers, with the caption, "For those who can't tell, this video is AI-generated, but it's still amazing. The world needs to see this."
The video features celebrity faces such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Drake, Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, Ben Stiller, and Mark Zuckerberg, all wearing the same white T-shirt. The back of their hands is visible, adorned with a Star of David and a raised middle finger, with "Kanye" beneath the hand. This AI-generated shirt is now available in various colors online.
The background music for this powerful video is a rendition of the traditional Jewish folk song, "Hava Nagila," and at the end, a message flashes across the screen, "Enough is enough. Join the fight against antisemitism." The video emerges amid a disheartening surge of antisemitism globally.
The creators of this provocative video are Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano, digital marketers associated with Israel-based creative agency Gitam BBDO. Bar is the agency's chief innovation officer while Bejerano specializes in generative AI.
Bar explained the concept behind the video on Instagram, stating, "It's time to stop being silent and respond to antisemitic figures like Kanye West in the strongest way possible." As for the celebrities featured, they were chosen because they are "part of Kanye We's social and cultural environment."
However, the AI-generated video stirred controversy for its unconventional messenger. Scarlett Johansson, a Jewish actress featured in the video, denounced it, urging a ban on deepfakes. She expressed her discomfort with the misuse of AI, stating, "We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging or we risk losing a hold on reality."
Irrespective of the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-generated content, Bar and Bejerano stand by their creation as an "artistic and cultural statement intended to confront the alarming rise in antisemitism." Their view highlights the ongoing debate about the responsible use of AI in addressing social issues.
The continued increase in antisemitism also emerged as a major concern in the American Jewish Committee's 2024 annual "State of Antisemitism in America" report. In the report, Ted Deutch, a representative from the American Jewish Committee, stated that one-third of American Jews have been victims of antisemitism in the past year. Over 56% of American Jews polled for the report acknowledged altering their behavior due to fear of antisemitism.
- The controversy surrounding the AI-generated video sparked discussions about the role of innovation in science, with some praising the use of generative AI in combating antisemitism, while others raised concerns about deepfakes and the misuse of such technology.
- Despite Scarlett Johansson's denouncement of the video, the Krassenstein brothers, known for their involvement in social and political issues, continued to support the use of AI in addressing social concerns, citing it as a form of 'swastika-era' innovation fighting against modern-day hate speech.
- In response to the rise of antisemitism, Yeezy, a fashion brand founded by Kanye West, announced plans to launch a line of apparel promoting unity and tolerance, hoping to contribute positively to the ongoing discourse around social media and its impact on society.
