Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor-comedian Robin Williams, has urgently asked fans to stop sharing AI-generated videos of her father. Since Robin Williams passed away in 2014, artificial intelligence has been used to create online videos depicting deceased celebrities, sparking serious debates over the ethics and impact of such technology. Zelda’s strong response highlights concerns over the legacy of her father and the misuse of AI in digital media.
Zelda Williams’ Firm Opposition to AI Videos of Robin Williams
Zelda Williams explicitly stated her frustration with the circulation of AI videos featuring her late father, urging people to cease sending her these digital recreations. She wrote,
Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want.
Her message made clear that, moving forward, she will restrict or block individuals on Instagram who continue sharing such content.
She also criticized how AI technology is being used to generate viral content by oversimplifying and exploiting the careers of artists, reducing their entire legacies into distorted clips for platforms like TikTok. Zelda described this practice as “disgusting” and “maddening.” She elaborated,
You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings, out of the history of art and music, and then shoving them down someone else’s throat, hoping they’ll give you a little thumbs up and like it. Gross.
In closing, Zelda emphasized that AI content often recycles past material without respect, undermining the humanity behind artistic work. She called it
just badly recycling and regurgitating the past for re-consumption.
She added that the use of AI primarily benefits technology companies, further eroding what once made such content meaningful.
Broader Ethical Concerns Over AI Use in Celebrity Media
This is not the first time Zelda has voiced opposition to AI recreations of her father. In 2023, the Lisa Frankenstein director described the videos as “personally disturbing,” highlighting that Robin Williams, as a deceased individual, cannot consent to having his voice, speech, or mannerisms digitally replicated and shared online.
Robin Williams is among several well-known figures whose likenesses have been controversially recreated through AI. Similar videos portraying Tupac Shakur, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley have recently appeared on social media, raising questions about respect, consent, and the potential emotional impact on families and fans.
Zelda Williams’ response to these AI videos reflects ongoing tension between technological advancement and ethical boundaries, underscoring the need for clearer guidelines regarding digital representations of those who have passed away. Her stance may influence how companies and platforms handle AI-generated content linked to public figures in the future.
