AI-Generated Photo by @oribejerano_ai

A recent AI-generated video depicting Jewish A-list celebrities–including David Schwimmer, Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Drake, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sacha Baron Cohen–wearing T-shirts directed toward Kanye West sparked controversy last week. The video captures these Jewish figures confronting West in protest, standing up to West’s recent antisemitic advertising stunt, which aired on Super Bowl Sunday.

Guy Bar and Ori Bejerano, digital marketers who work together at an AI company in Israel and who created the AI-generated video, shared it on Instagram on Tuesday, February 11,  along with a powerful message. The one-minute video shows more than a dozen well-known Jewish celebrities wearing the white T-shirts displaying a raised middle finger with a Star of David inside it, along with the word “Kanye” written below. Set to a remixed version of the Hebrew song “Hava Nagila,” the video concludes with the messages “Enough is Enough” and “Join the Fight Against Antisemitism.” 

The creators stated the entire purpose of the video was to respond to West’s recent actions, specifically the fact that the only item selling on his site was a plain white T-shirt bearing a swastika while he went on a tirade posting antisemitic remarks. 

“In a perfect world, the real [people would be] doing [the video with] their voice,” co-creator Guy Bar said. “I wish they would share it and say, ‘We definitely agree with this video, we want to spread it all over.’”

The video quickly went viral on Instagram, with millions resharing and spreading the message. Many praised the depicted celebrities for allegedly and finally speaking up against antisemitism and for using their Hollywood influence for good. However, many sharp-eyed viewers quickly realized the truth: this powerful video was entirely AI-generated. This revelation sparked concerns about the misuse of AI technology, particularly the unauthorized use of celebrity likenesses in commercials, print ads, movies, television, and other media. 

Scarlett Johansson, one of the many celebrities featured in the video, used this opportunity to shed light on antisemitism but also the unauthorized use of her image in the video through AI. Both are major issues in Hollywood; however, celebrities don’t appear to have the courage to speak up about antisemitism. 

“I am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind,” Johansson said in an interview with People. “But I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it. We must call out the misuse of AI, no matter its messaging, or we risk losing a hold on reality.”

It’s upsetting that AI had to be the one to call out Hollywood when it comes to addressing antisemitism. While the video is meant to be powerful, it is also now being overshadowed by the conversation about the misuse of unauthorized AI in the media. Yet, I do believe the creators achieved what they set out to do—to protest West once and for all with a message even the celebrities depicted can support.

Since Sunday, FOX has also issued an apology about how West managed to carry out his charade. Allegedly, when the commercial was submitted, it drove traffic to a website with unbranded merchandise before switching to the horrific T-shirt that was available at the time of airing. 

To watch the AI-Generated video, click here