The estate of comedy legend George Carlin has recently filed a lawsuit against the creators of an AI-generated video featuring a version of the late comedian. The lawsuit accuses them of stealing the work of “a great American artist.” The hour-long video, titled “George Carlin: I’m glad I’m dead,” was uploaded by the Dudesy channel on YouTube earlier this month.
AI in Creative Works: A Controversial Issue
This legal action highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in creative works. It comes after a writers’ strike in Hollywood last year, sparked in part by concerns over studios employing AI to generate scripts. The rise of AI in entertainment has become one of the biggest challenges faced by the industry.
Impersonation or Theft?
The AI-generated video does not feature a visual representation of Carlin. Instead, it showcases a series of computer-generated images while a voice, strikingly resembling the late comedian, discusses familiar topics such as religion, politics, and even his own death. Carlin’s estate alleges copyright infringement and a violation of Carlin’s right to publicity in their lawsuit.
The Carlin Estate’s Stand
In a statement to NBC News, the Carlin estate expressed their disappointment, saying, “Carlin, one of the most legendary stand-up comedians in history, dedicated his life to perfecting his craft, only for a couple of podcasters and a mysterious AI to slap together a special called ‘George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,’ without permission, and posted it to YouTube.” The estate firmly believes that the video is a casual theft of Carlin’s comedic works, diminishing their value and harming his reputation.
The Dudesy YouTube Channel and AI Technology
The Dudesy YouTube channel, hosted by comedian Will Sasso and writer Chad Kultgen, is behind the controversial video. The channel has a weekly podcast of the same name. Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are several unnamed individuals involved in the creation of the video and the development of the AI technology used. NBC News has reached out to Dudesy for their response.
In an introduction to the video, Dudesy’s AI tool is credited with replicating Carlin’s delivery and content, resulting in the “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead” special. However, Sasso himself acknowledged in a podcast episode that the AI version cannot replace the real Carlin, nor can it replace his comedic partnership with Kultgen. The controversy surrounding this particular video stems from the fact that it attempts to recreate the entire art form of stand-up comedy.
A Daughter’s Perspective
Kelly Carlin, George Carlin’s daughter, also shared her thoughts on the matter. While she understands the desire for more of her father’s work, she emphasized that the AI version presented in the video is far from the genuine article. Kelly Carlin called it a “poorly-executed facsimile” created by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit her father’s adoring fanbase.
In a statement, the estate’s attorney, Josh Schiller, expressed concern over the potential misuse of AI technology. He warned against allowing bad-faith actors to replace genuine creative expression and profit at the expense of others.
Source link: F5 Magazine