George Carlin’s Estate Files Lawsuit Over AI Comedy Special
George Carlin’s estate has filed a lawsuit against the creators of an online comedy special that utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate the late comedian’s voice and style. The hour-long video entitled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead” allegedly infringed upon Carlin’s intellectual property rights and constituted copyright infringement, according to the lawsuit filed in the Central District of California. The lawsuit emphasizes that the case is not just about AI, but about the individuals who use AI to violate the law and flout common decency.
Controversial AI-Generated Video Removed from Public View
The controversial video, which was uploaded earlier this month and subsequently removed after the lawsuit was filed, featured the voice of an AI character named “Dudesy.” Dudesy, described as “state-of-the-art entertainment AI,” claimed to write a podcast series for two human hosts, Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, by mining their personal emails, texts, and social media. Representatives for Sasso and Kultgen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Questionable Authenticity of AI-Generated Material
The lawsuit raises doubts about the authenticity of the AI-generated video, as some critics argue that it fails to capture George Carlin’s essence. Carlin was a prominent stand-up comedian known for his counterculture style and iconic monologue, “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” While the hosts, Sasso and Kultgen, have claimed that Dudesy is responsible for generating the material, there are suspicions that it may be a comedic bit rather than genuine AI. However, the lawsuit notes that in a podcast episode, the hosts mentioned that a human actor would write the script and upload it into an AI voice generator.
Carlin’s Daughter Speaks out Against the AI Special
Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, has expressed her opposition to the AI special, stating that it is ridiculous to claim that her father has been ‘resurrected’ with AI. She argues that the video is a poorly-executed facsimile created by unscrupulous individuals seeking to capitalize on her father’s legacy. She emphasizes that the AI Carlin in the video is not the same person who defined a generation and raised her with love.
Legal Battles Mount Against AI Companies
This lawsuit against the creators of the AI comedy special adds to a growing number of legal battles against AI companies that scrape the internet to train their software. In a similar case, famous authors including George R.R. Martin and Jodi Picoult signed on to a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of “systematic theft.”
In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by George Carlin’s estate against the creators of the AI comedy special serves as a reminder that the misuse of AI technology can lead to copyright infringement and the dishonoring of a beloved entertainer’s legacy. This case highlights the need for regulations to govern the use of AI in creative industries to protect the rights of artists and their families.
Analyst comment
Positive news: The lawsuit filed by George Carlin’s estate against the creators of the AI comedy special serves as a reminder to protect artists’ rights and their legacies. This highlights the need for regulations to govern the use of AI in creative industries.
