OpenAI is tightening up how its AI video generator, Sora, handles the likenesses of historical figures after users created “disrespectful depictions” of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In a joint statement with the Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, OpenAI said it has paused AI video generations depicting King at the estate’s request while it “strengthens guardrails for historical figures.”
Since the launch of Sora 2 last month, social media platforms have been flooded with short, realistic AI-generated clips created from user text prompts. Often, these involve historical figures, and in some instances, they have involved depictions of the King that were deemed inappropriate by his estate.
“While there are strong free speech interests in depicting historical figures, OpenAI believes public figures and their families should ultimately have control over how their likeness is used,” the company and King’s estate said.
Under its new policy, representatives and estates for historical figures can now request an opt-out for that figure’s likeness on Sora, the statement said.
Sora already bans users from generating videos of living people without their consent, according to OpenAI’s content rules, but it allows depictions of deceased figures.
OpenAI said it made the change after Bernice A. King, the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of The King Center, reached out.
The King Center didn’t immediately respond to Business Insider’s requests for comments made outside working hours. OpenAI declined to comment and referred back to its statement on X.
AI depictions of other dead public figures have sparked backlash
Bernice A. King’s frustration reflects a broader concern about how AI tools like Sora are reviving — and sometimes ridiculing — deceased public figures without the consent of their families or estates.
Users have generated Sora videos featuring Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and Bruce Lee in recent months. Their likenesses appear in surreal or sometimes mocking clips that blur the line between tribute and disrespect.
Families of stand-up comedian George Carlin and actor Robin Williams have also pushed back against unauthorized digital recreations.
In January 2024, Carlin’s estate sued the creators of the “Dudesy” podcast for producing an AI-generated special titled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” alleging copyright infringement and misuse of his likeness.
The case was settled in April 2024, with the podcasters agreeing to remove the video and stop using Carlin’s image and voice.
One of the most recent vocal critics has been Zelda Williams, the daughter of Robin Williams.
In an Instagram story posted earlier this month and cited by Variety, she urged people to “stop sending me AI videos of Dad,” calling the trend “gross” and “not what he’d want.”
Zelda Williams, who directs the romantic comedy “Lisa Frankenstein,” said AI creators are “condensing down” real legacies into “slop puppeteering” for likes, calling it “maddening.”
Her comments resonated with Bernice A. King, who quote-posted the Variety story on X earlier this month, writing: “I concur concerning my father. Please stop.”
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