As an AI technology company that has generated deepfake Tom Cruise files, copyright his OWN image – can you find the fakes among the real celebrities?
- US lawmakers have said most AI-generated works are not copyrighted, but are eligible for protection in exceptional circumstances
The boss of an AI technology company that generated a deep fake image of Tom Cruise has now filed a copyright registration of his own likeness.
Tom Graham, CEO of Metaphysic, is encouraging Hollywood stars to do the same to stop the rampant proliferation of fake celebrity photos on the Internet.
US lawmakers have said most AI-generated works are not copyrightable, but are eligible for protection in exceptional circumstances.
It has sparked concern from Graham and other celebrities about how the technology can flourish without famous faces being exploited or maliciously misrepresented.
To prove its point, DailyMail.com created this grid that combines four real celebrity photos with four fake ones. Can you separate fact from fiction?
MORGAN FREEMAN
Is this Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman, or a disturbingly accurate deep fake of the Academy Award winner?
The opening line of this video calls for a double take. “I’m not Morgan Freeman,” says the on-screen figure who looks eerily similar to the Shawshank Redemption star.
He continues: ‘What you see is not real. Well, at least not in contemporary terms.’
The video was shared last year by Dutch deep fake YouTube channel Diep Nep, crediting the AI to Bob de Jong and the incredible voice work to actor Boet Schouwink.
TOBEY MAGUIRE
Fans of the original Spiderman will be delighted to know that Tobey Maguire can be deeply spoofed about the face of his successor, Tom Holland
“How do you tell someone you’re Spiderman?” asks Tobey Maguire in this trailer for the Spider-man: No Way Home trailer.
The question is further complicated by the fact that Tobey Maguire is not actually Spiderman in this film, but has been traded by the deepfake creator Shamook for his successor in the Marvel films, Tom Holland.
TOM CRUISE
Tom Cruise can be found engaging in the most un-Tom Cruise mundane activities such as industrial cleaning and car sharing on a TikTok channel dedicated to his deep fakes
There is now an entire TikTok account dedicated to Tom Cruise deep fakes.
The gamut of funny skits on @deeptomcruise videos includes the deep fake Hollywood superstar appearing in a basement kitchen claiming to do “lots of industrial cleanup” while promoting an exfoliation product and fumbling about the pronunciation of “TikTok tips” .
Others show the AI Tom Cruise demonstrating magic tricks and playing rock, paper, scissors with a friend who has to drive home.
KEANU REEVES
Keanu Reeves also appears in some unlikely scenarios on a deeply fake TikTok account with millions of followers
Cruise isn’t the only A-list actor with a large fake TikTok following. Keanu Reeves can also be seen in all sorts of scenarios on Unreal_Keanu, which has over 7 million followers.
While both unfailingly convincing, neither the Reeves nor Cruise accounts try to convince viewers that they’re real and are instead playing for laughs.
But the potential for mischief should this creative, technological know-how fall into malicious hands is clear.