Almost a month after what would have been the late Robin Williams’ 75th birthday, his three children— Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams—have decided to revive his Instagram account to continue honoring their father’s legacy and, more importantly, to combat AI abuse. Today, many users create AI-generated deepfakes of the late actor.
"We’re grateful to see new generations discovering his work while longtime fans continue to celebrate the joy he brought into their lives," the children shared in a joint statement posted on Williams’ Instagram page on August 17." As technology evolves, we want this to be a safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care."
They continued: "This is our way of sharing his unique talent and humor with the world, including the moments that made us and so many of you laugh, as we remember our Dad’s extraordinary life and work. He continues to inspire us and delight people all over the world."
The decision comes amid the growing popularity of AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities, both alive and deceased. Zelda Williams, the eldest daughter of the late actor, doubled down on the move, sharing in an Instagram Story on her own account that creating a space where fans can find authentic photos and videos of Williams is one of the best ways to "fight back against rampant AI abuse of his voice and likeness on here."
Indeed, AI deepfakes are among the most pressing problems in our culture today, as they are changing the social media landscape and altering users’ perception of what is real.
Have you looked at an AI-generated image lately? Not sure? These days, fake images generated using artificial intelligence, and deepfake videos where celebrities’ heads are superimposed on the bodies of other people, are increasingly more common. It's hard to tell what's real and what's fake, which is problematic.
So, how can you avoid being tricked? To help you spot and verify both AI-generated images and deepfake videos, as well as to discover other famous examples, check out this gallery for some helpful tips. Don't let yourself be fooled!