Zelda Williams has made a heartfelt plea to fans, asking them to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her late father, Robin Williams. The Dead of Summer actress, 36, took to her Instagram Stories on October 6 to address the issue, expressing her discomfort with the use of AI to create tributes to her father and other deceased individuals.
“Stop sending me AI videos of Dad,” Zelda urged, as reported by E! News. Robin Williams, the beloved Dead Poets Society actor, tragically passed away in 2014 at the age of 63.
“Stop believing I want to see this or that I’ll understand it. I don’t, and I won’t,” she stated. “If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen far worse. I’ll restrict and move on.”
Zelda emphasised that such videos lack decency and disrespect both the living and the legacy of those who have passed. She added that her father would not have supported these types of tributes.
Beyond the personal impact, Zelda criticised AI-generated content as a whole, calling it a shallow rehashing of the past. She described it as “badly recycling and regurgitating history to be reconsumed,” as reported by Deadline.
Zelda joins a growing list of artists criticising the use of AI in creative spaces as the technology gains traction, especially on social media. In August, rapper Freddie Gibbs called out the use of AI tools like ChatGPT in songwriting, saying it contributes to the idea that “art is dying”. Similarly, country singer Lainey Wilson’s fiancé recently denounced AI-generated wedding photos that sparked false rumours about their marriage.
As AI technology continues to evolve, conversations about its ethical implications and its impact on creativity and legacy are becoming more pressing. Zelda Williams’ powerful message serves as a reminder to respect both the memory of those who have passed and the art they left behind.
