Speaker 1: Before we hit the top of the hour, because we
do talk on the show a lot about AI and
concerns people have about AI and eye. Yeah, this is
trying to click this link here. This is something that
you brought to my attention. Yeah, this is from BuzzFeed.
Don't be swindled. Here's why Tom Hanks issued a public
service announcement about some AI ads. It says Tom Hanks. Yeah, yeah,
he says. Tom Hanks has issued a strong statement against
medical ads made with AI that fraudulently uses his name, likeness,
and voice. In an Instagram post on Thursday, the actor
made what he called the public service announcement and captioned
the statement extra extra read all about it. There are
multiple ads over the internet falsely using my name, likeness,
and voice promoting Miracle cure and Wonder drugs, he wrote.
While Hanks didn't specify which specific medical ads he was opposing,
he clarified, quote, these ads have been created without my consent,
fraudulently and through AI. I have nothing to do with
these posts, or the products and treatments, or the spokespeople
touting these cures unquote. Hanks revealed in twenty thirteen that
he has type two diabetes and noted in his Instagram
posts that he only works with board certified doctors regarding
his treatment. He handed his statement with three directives, don't
be fooled, don't be swindled, and don't lose your hard
earned money.
Speaker 2: And this is again what we've been talking about a
lot recently, is about people controlling their own images and likenesses. Yeah,
you know, and as AI becomes more and more prevalent,
is going to be more and more of these type
of situations where you really get to be careful.
Speaker 1: Yeah.
Speaker 2: I mean, it looks like them, it sounds like them,
but it's not them, right, and that's scary. Yeah, but
you know what, you really shouldn't be taking medical advice
from any ad. I In my perfect world, medical ads
don't exist because they are not helpful. They try to
they convince people they need stuff they don't need, or
they need things that cost more money than they don't
really need. Like, there's no good reason for this. Your
doctor can tell you what you need. You don't need
an ad on TV trying to force feed you you
must take this pill. Your life will be better if
you just take this pill, right, you know, at the
magic pill the snake oil salesman has always existed and
will always exist in our society. Is just now they're
coming in the form of AI, which makes it even
scarier because you can't tell the difference.
Speaker 1: Yeah, although when it comes to voices, it seems to
me that, I mean, you could do that anyway, you like.
You don't need AI to replicate someone's voice. You just
need someone who can do a good impression.
Speaker 2: Right, But this isn't that. This is them replicating his likeness,
his image.
Speaker 1: Right right, Well, yeah, his image.
Speaker 2: It looks like he's saying these things and he's endorsing
them and saying, Look, Tom Anks says this pill is
great for you, so I'll take it too, because you know,
he's a great guy. He's so wholesome and nice, and
we love Tom Hanks, so we must trust Tom Hanks.
And so if you don't want to feel that way,
then listen to heat his words, because he's telling you
it's not him. He didn't give him permission. And these
companies shouldn't be able to do that, but they're getting
away with it because we don't have strong enough laws
to control AI, to protect artists and entertainers, so they
can control their images and how they're seen and what's
coming out of their mouths, because they can make you
say anything, right.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I felt from the beginning when I, uh, the
first time I ever saw Tom Hanks and in that
TV show Bosom Buddies, I thought, I trust this man,
Peter Sculleri not so much terrible. Remember that show bos
and Buddies.
Speaker 2: I do. I loved that show.
Speaker 1: Yes, yes, I love.
Speaker 2: But you know, when I think of Tom Hanks, I
always think about Bubba Gums Shrimp. Now. Oh yes, I
got to go to a bubble Gum shrimp restaurant in
Minnesota and they had like a like that. They had
his suit, white suit with the suitcase, and had all
kinds and of course they were running the movie but
they had all kinds of memorabilia and stuff there, and
I of course got the jenny, which was shrimp and salmon. Yes,
but no, I mean yeah, I mean he's he's a
great People look at Tom Hanks and they see a
trusted person. So when you think you seeing him telling
you this is a great pill, I take it you
should too. It's easy to fall prey to that.
Speaker 1: Oh of course, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2: But as technology continues to grow. We need to grow
laws to protect artists.
Speaker 1: What would be the worst is if you start seeing
this kind of thing with somebody like Morgan Freeman, because
isn't he I mean, would you say, Morgan Freeman one
of the most trusted voices to a point, you know, but.
Speaker 2: If he doesn't say certain words, I don't know that
anybody believed that it was him, and you can't say
those words.
Speaker 1: So Morgan Freeman.
Speaker 2: Oh wait, wrong, wrong guy, I mixed.
Speaker 1: You're thinking of Samuel L. Jackson.
Speaker 2: I was, yes, yes, I had him in my head
for some reason.
Speaker 1: He's not always a potty mouth. I see him in
commercials where he keeps it cleaned. But uh no, Morgan Freeman.
Though everyone everyone trusts Morgan Freeman, how can you not