Controversy Over 'AI Manipulation' in Will Smith's Concert Video on YouTube
"Audience Reactions Appear Unnatural"
American actor and singer Will Smith is facing allegations that he manipulated audience cheering scenes and other footage with AI in a recent performance video uploaded to YouTube.
Will Smith (left) and a performance video of Will Smith suspected of AI manipulation. Captured from Will Smith's Instagram and YouTube.
According to reports from foreign media outlets such as The Times on the 27th (local time), Smith posted a Shorts video on his YouTube channel featuring scenes from his recent UK tour. The video, titled "My favorite thing about touring is seeing you up close," shows Smith singing on stage and the audience cheering for him.
However, controversy arose after some viewers commented that parts of the video appeared to be enhanced with AI. They pointed out that some audience faces were distorted and the hand shapes looked unnatural.
Experts have also weighed in on the AI manipulation suspicions. Emmanuel Saliba, Chief Investigator at Get Real Labs, a company developing deepfake detection technology, told The Times, "I was able to confirm that some scenes were from an actual performance, but it seemed that some kind of processing had been applied to the footage, and the visuals appeared distorted." He specifically noted, "The melting-like facial distortions are similar to what is often seen in generative AI videos."
The Times pointed out the irony of this controversy, given that Smith has previously been regarded as a symbolic figure in the world of AI video technology. In 2023, an AI-generated video of "Will Smith eating spaghetti" went viral on social media, simultaneously showcasing both the possibilities and limitations of AI technology. Initially, the poor quality of the video was a topic of discussion, but as more sophisticated versions emerged, the video became a benchmark for the advancement of AI technology. Smith himself parodied the AI video last year, adding the caption, "This is getting out of hand," which further fueled the conversation.
However, as of now, Smith's side has not released any official statement regarding the recent AI manipulation allegations.
Meanwhile, Will Smith released his new album "Based on a True Story" this March, marking his first album in about 20 years, and embarked on a tour. During his Las Vegas concert, he became emotional as he recalled the fear he felt when his first son was born and the farewell to his fellow actor, the late James Avery.
In March 2022, Smith faced heavy criticism after he assaulted comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards, resulting in a 10-year ban from attending the Oscars. This incident severely damaged his public image, and local media have estimated that the financial losses from the incident could reach up to 1 billion dollars (approximately 1.4 trillion won).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
