The rise of AI-generated deepfake videos has created new challenges in combating hate speech and misinformation online. A recent incident involving Scarlett Johansson and other celebrities highlights the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, social media activism, and the fight against antisemitism.
The incident in focus: An AI-generated video featuring Scarlett Johansson and other prominent Jewish celebrities responding to Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks has sparked debate about AI regulation and content authenticity.
- The deepfake video showed Johansson and others wearing protest attire, set to the Jewish folk song “Hava Nagila”
- The video was created by Ori Bejerano, a self-described generative AI expert, who included a disclaimer about the AI-altered content
- Other celebrities featured in the video included Adam Levine, Mila Kunis, Lenny Kravitz, and Mark Zuckerberg
Johansson’s response: The actress has issued a strong statement condemning both antisemitism and the unauthorized use of AI technology.
- Johansson emphasized her stance against hate speech while expressing concern about AI’s potential to amplify harmful content
- She highlighted her previous experiences as a “public victim of AI,” including a dispute with OpenAI over synthetic voice usage
- The actress called for immediate U.S. government action to regulate AI technology
Broader context: The incident occurs amid increasing tensions over antisemitism on social media platforms and growing concerns about AI regulation.
- David Schwimmer separately appealed to Elon Musk to block Kanye West from X due to his antisemitic posts
- West’s Yeezy website recently had products removed by Shopify over controversial content
- The Tel Aviv Institute’s co-founder Hen Mazzig noted that while AI misuse is concerning, unchecked antisemitic hate speech poses an even greater threat
Looking ahead: Technology vs. accountability: This incident underscores the complex challenge of balancing technological innovation with social responsibility, as AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible while regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace. The absence of comprehensive AI legislation in the United States, compared to other nations’ proactive approaches, suggests this issue will likely continue to generate controversy and calls for reform.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...