Keanu Reeves recently opened up about his worries regarding AI-generated videos of himself, highlighting his discomfort with the technology’s use in the entertainment industry. The 61-year-old actor spoke to Craig Melvin during an appearance on the Today show while promoting his new Broadway production, Waiting for Godot, where he addressed his concerns about AI’s growing influence.
Reeves Reflects on AI Content Circulating Online
During the interview, Reeves discussed the spread of AI-generated images and videos involving him and his partner, Alexandra Grant. Melvin reminded him that such content had gone viral, leading Grant to publicly clarify that they were not married. Reeves admitted that he had not personally viewed these AI materials until shown by the Today show team.
“I knew what was going on, but I had never seen it,”
said Keanu Reeves.
He went on to note that many people are likely experiencing the same phenomenon.
“I think that’s happening to a lot of people,”
Reeves stated. When asked about his level of concern over this, he responded directly.
“We are in that world… it’s not a lot of fun. It’s like, ‘Hey, are you really selling this product?’ No!”
Actor’s History of Opposition to AI Manipulation
Reeves’ discomfort with AI misuse is longstanding; he has taken explicit steps to guard his image against technological exploitation. In a previous Wired interview, he recounted an incident from the early days of digital editing.
“I don’t mind if someone takes a blink out during an edit. But early on, in the early 2000s, or it might have been the ’90s, I had a performance change. They added a tear to my face, and I was just like, ‘Huh?!’ It was like, ‘I don’t even have to be here.’”
This example illustrates Reeves’ unease with losing control over how his performances are altered without his consent.
Concerns About Artistic Control and Authenticity
Reeves also highlighted the deeper implications for artists’ autonomy when their likenesses are manipulated digitally without their involvement. Reflecting on the rise of deepfake technology, he emphasized the loss of a creator’s point of view.
“If you go into deepfake land, it has none of your points of view. That’s scary,”
Reeves expressed.
Upcoming Broadway Show and Future Outlook
Alongside Alex Winter, Reeves is starring in the Broadway revival of Waiting for Godot, which premiered on September 28 and will run until January 4, 2026. As AI technology continues to advance, Reeves’ stance brings important attention to the challenges artists face in protecting their identities and preserving the integrity of their work.
