Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is calling on the US government to take immediate action to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) after a disturbing video featuring an AI deepfake of her went viral online. The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows Johansson and other Jewish celebrities wearing a t-shirt with an image of a middle finger and the Star of David, promoting antisemitic hate speech.

In a statement to People, Johansson expressed her deep concern about the potential dangers of AI-generated hate speech, emphasizing that it is a bipartisan issue that affects the immediate future of humanity. "It is terrifying that the U.S. government is paralyzed when it comes to passing legislation that protects all of its citizens against the imminent dangers of A.I.," she said.

The video in question, which has been widely shared on social media, features an AI-generated depiction of Johansson, along with other Jewish celebrities, including Jerry Seinfeld, Mila Kunis, Jack Black, Drake, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Adam Sandler. The video is particularly disturbing given the recent resurgence of antisemitic rhetoric, including comments made by Kanye West (formerly known as Ye) on X last week.

Johansson, who has been vocal about AI safety concerns in the past, urged lawmakers to make the passing of legislation limiting AI use a top priority. She has previously sued an AI app developer for using her name and likeness in an online ad and called out OpenAI for using a voice that sounded similar to hers in ChatGPT, leading OpenAI to stop using the voice.

Despite growing concerns about AI safety, there has been little movement on regulating the technology. Last year, lawmakers introduced a bill to combat sexually explicit deepfakes, but it has stalled. California governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a major AI safety bill in September 2024, while President Donald Trump reversed Joe Biden's executive order to establish safety guidelines for AI. This week, the US and UK declined to sign an international AI declaration that promotes the "ethical" use of the technology.

Johansson's call to action highlights the urgent need for policymakers to take a proactive approach to regulating AI. As AI technology continues to advance, the potential risks and consequences of its misuse are becoming increasingly clear. The actress's plea for lawmakers to take action is a timely reminder that the time to act is now, before the dangers of AI-generated hate speech become even more entrenched.

As the debate around AI safety continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will heed Johansson's call to action and take concrete steps to regulate the technology. One thing is certain, however: the stakes are high, and the future of humanity depends on our ability to harness AI in a responsible and ethical manner.