Action icon Chuck Norris passed away in March, and the internet was flooded with tributes to the late actor. From celebrities to everyday fans, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook were flooded with posts sharing beloved scenes, memories, or encounters. Walker, Texas Ranger I feel his influence on the world of film and television is larger than life. However, some users chose to use AI to generate bizarre “tributes” to the performer, which his family didn’t like.
on Instagram, varietythe family used Norris’ official account to address these AI creations. The family did not specify which posts they were referring to, but shared that certain posts were spreading misinformation about the actor’s death. Their statement reads:
“We are aware that since Chuck’s death, numerous AI-generated videos and posts have been circulating online containing false and misleading information about the circumstances of his death, his medical history, and who was present.
“These claims are completely false. They include fabricated reports of past medical issues and false narratives surrounding family relationships. Please do not believe or share any information unless it comes directly from the Norris family or an official family representative. Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
A growing and worrying recent trend among AI users is for famous celebrities to hold funerals to honor their deceased loved ones. Posts of various of Norris’ former co-stars sharing emotional moments at the fictional funeral, as well as images showing Norris surrounded by family in the hospital, have gone viral. The actor’s death came as a surprise to his fans, and the post announcing his death also stated that it was sudden for those who knew him.
Throughout his career, Norris appeared in dozens of films, primarily in the action and martial arts fields. This means he has a huge legacy on screen, but it also means that generative AI can tap into vast resources to create fake-realistic images. Regardless of how unethical and disgusting it is to create such content, it must have been shocking for his family to see such content. It’s even more shocking when it’s an AI image that fans accept as real.
Given the nefarious motives of those using these tools to create content, we hope that public attention to this situation will encourage further regulation in the field of AI-generated images. Fortunately, just last week, OpenAI announced that it would be shutting down its AI generation platform Sora, which it launched just a few months ago. One effect of the cancellation was that Disney, which had a $1 billion contract with OpenAI, pulled out of the deal.
As with all perceived advances in technology, it’s less about the technology and more about how it’s used. This incident only highlights that finding ways to optimize such advances requires experimentation by people who are not qualified to use the technology.
- birth name
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carlos ray norris
- date of birth
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March 10, 1940
- Birthplace
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Ryan, Oklahoma, USA
