Scarlett Johansson has once again found herself at the center of a controversy involving artificial intelligence, and this time, she’s calling on U.S. lawmakers to step up and take action. The renowned actress is urging the government to impose strict regulations on A.I. technology after an unauthorized, A.I.-generated video featuring her and several other Jewish celebrities went viral.
The video, which has been making the rounds on social media, opens with an A.I. version of Johansson, 40, wearing a white T-shirt that features a hand raising its middle finger. In the center of the hand sits a Star of David, with the name “Kanye” written underneath. The clip doesn’t just stop at Johansson—it includes A.I.-generated versions of other prominent Jewish celebrities like Drake, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Black, Mila Kunis, and Lenny Kravitz. The video ends with an A.I. recreation of Adam Sandler flipping off the camera while the Jewish folk song “Hava Nagila” plays in the background.
At the end of the video, bold text appears on the screen, declaring: “Enough is Enough” and “Join the Fight Against Antisemitism.” While the message may seem like a stand against hate, Johansson is deeply disturbed by the use of A.I. in this way, regardless of the intent.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Johansson made her stance crystal clear: “It has been brought to my attention by family members and friends that an A.I.-generated video featuring my likeness, in response to an antisemitic view, has been circulating online and gaining traction. I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by A.I. is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it.”
She continued, emphasizing the broader dangers of artificial intelligence, stating, “I have unfortunately been a very public victim of A.I., but the truth is that the threat of A.I. affects each and every one of us. We must call out the misuse of A.I., no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”
Johansson’s frustration isn’t just personal—it’s political. She pointed out that other nations are already taking responsible steps to regulate A.I., while the U.S. remains stagnant. “There is a 1,000-foot wave coming regarding A.I. that several progressive countries, not including the United States, have responded to in a responsible manner. It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of A.I.”
She concluded her statement with a passionate call to action, urging lawmakers to prioritize A.I. regulations: “I urge the U.S. government to make the passing of legislation limiting A.I. use a top priority; it is a bipartisan issue that enormously affects the immediate future of humanity at large.”
Notably, Johansson did not directly mention Kanye West in her statement. However, the controversy stems from his recent actions. On Sunday, February 9, West, 47, sparked outrage after airing a Super Bowl ad that directed viewers to his now-offline website, Yeezy. The site was reportedly selling T-shirts adorned with swastikas and featuring the product code “HH,” an abbreviation associated with a Nazi salute. In the aftermath of the ad and several offensive posts he shared on X (formerly Twitter), his talent agency dropped him.
This isn’t Johansson’s first run-in with the dark side of A.I. technology. In November 2023, she threatened legal action against a company that used an A.I. likeness of her without permission in an advertisement. The ad was swiftly removed after her legal team intervened.
Then in May 2024, Johansson was once again shocked when she discovered that OpenAI’s ChatGPT system, dubbed “Sky,” had a voice eerily similar to her own. The actress publicly expressed her outrage, stating she was “angered” and “shocked” to hear the A.I.-generated voice mimicking her tone and inflections.
“In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our own likeness, our own work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity. I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected,” she said at the time.
Johansson’s concerns highlight a growing issue in the digital age—A.I. is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and without regulations, it can be used in ways that violate privacy, spread misinformation, and even manipulate public opinion. While some may argue that the video featuring Johansson and other Jewish celebrities was created with good intentions—to stand against antisemitism—the reality is that it was made without consent, setting a dangerous precedent for how A.I. can be misused.
The actress’s stance resonates beyond Hollywood. In an era where A.I.-generated deepfakes can replicate voices, create realistic images, and manipulate video content, the question isn’t just about celebrity likenesses—it’s about everyone’s digital footprint. If high-profile figures like Johansson can have their image and voice cloned without permission, what does that mean for the average person?
Experts have long warned that A.I. could be used to spread political propaganda, create false narratives, and even sway elections. The dangers extend far beyond social media videos—deepfake technology has already been used in scams, revenge porn, and fraudulent schemes. And as Johansson pointed out, the United States has yet to take meaningful action to regulate this rapidly advancing technology.
So, what’s next? While Johansson’s call for legislative action is loud and clear, the response from lawmakers remains uncertain. As technology continues to evolve, the need for protective measures becomes more urgent than ever. Whether the government will heed her warning and take action against the unregulated spread of A.I. remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is certain—Scarlett Johansson isn’t backing down. And as the fight for A.I. regulation continues, her voice is one of the loudest advocating for change. The question is: Will lawmakers listen before it’s too late?
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