I was lucky enough to see the Rolling Stones in 2018, and I can tell you there was no need for “deepfakes” back then. While 82 seems to be just a number, especially for Mick, he is known for being incredibly dedicated to staying fit and staying fit when the band goes on tour. So when the Stones released the music video for their latest song in the starsI was a little surprised to learn that it was digitally anti-aging.
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As a bit of a music geek, I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what era the music videos are set in. Ronnie Wood joined the band in 1975 to replace the departed Mick Taylor, so I think the mid-’70s is a safe bet. So first, let’s get the less controversial part out of the way. in the stars It’s an absolute banger. It really sounds like a forgotten deep cut from the band’s heyday.
I was hooked from the opening piano riff and falsetto chorus “ooohs,” but then the video shows Keith picking up the famous butterscotch Telecaster “Micawber” and Mick pouting, “One, two… free“And…” I knew I was in for a treat. The punchy riffs that follow, the guitars on the verge of breaking up, will take you back to the 70s. And you know what else? The youthfulness of Mick’s face.
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In the video, Mick, Keith, and Ronnie are all transported back in time through the power of Deep Voodoo’s deepfake technology. Deep Voodoo was founded by none other than Trey Parker and Matt Stone. south park. This is the same technology used in Kendrick Lamar’s 2022 heart part 5 The music video transformed the rapper’s face into various caricatures, including OJ Simpson, Kanye West, and Kobe Bryant.
It was also used to rejuvenate Billy Joel in the music video for his first song in over 15 years, “2024.” turn the light back on. I’m not an animation expert, so I don’t know how these deepfakes were created, but Deep Voodoo describes itself as an “artificial intelligence entertainment startup,” and their deepfake technology relies heavily on AI.
I’ve repeatedly stated that I don’t like many uses of generative AI, as anything related to AI is bound to spark heated debates. I like Kendrick Lamar, but superimposing other likenesses on other people’s faces doesn’t sit well with me. However, in the case of Billy Joel and the Rolling Stones, I think its usage is less offensive.
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retain the human element
First, the deepfake depicts the artist himself. They are fully aware of what is being done to their likeness. And this is important. Because the big ethical question mark hanging over genAI is scraping other artists’ work. However, these deepfakes are not sampling creative works to form rival creative works, but recreating the likeness of a person who already exists. To me, it gives a different impression than if, for example, the video depicted a stylized animated cartoon.
Comics have art styles and require concept artists, animators, etc., but I wonder where deepfakes get that art style from. As a side note, I couldn’t help but notice that the portrait of the late, great Stones drummer Charlie Watt was not recreated in the music video. Now, I didn’t know Charlie personally, and I didn’t know the Stones. So, while this is pure speculation, I can only assume this was intended as a sign of respect.
Another big reason I’m less frustrated with this use of genAI is that all three videos have one thing in common. They are all real. These are not simply created using prompts. There’s a strong human element to these videos, judging by the long list of contributors, including cinematographers, directors, makeup artists, actors, and more.
Deepfakes are applied to real footage of real people, shot in setups designed and produced by real people. Watch the video and judge for yourself: A Creative Time Travel Celebration of The Stones fake Or have we simply stepped too far into the uncanny valley?
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Thought the article was over? Once you start me, I’ll never stop, so here are some more recommended articles. On the topic of AI: Even Marvel artists aren’t immune to being replaced by AI. And I believe that Disney is on the threshold of a new “Dark Age.” Why AI is getting worse means retro-style photos, videos, and cameras are here to stay. Additionally, an owl photo was removed from a wildlife competition following backlash. GenAI paranoia is ruining photo contests.
