Bryan Cranston, known for his role in Breaking Bad, expressed gratitude towards OpenAI for enhancing protections on its Sora 2 video generator after unauthorized AI deepfakes of him emerged. Following concerns about his likeness being used without consent during Sora 2’s launch, Cranston, along with SAG-AFTRA, voiced broader issues affecting all performers. The initial outrage was sparked by unauthorized videos, including one featuring a synthetic Michael Jackson alongside Cranston’s character, which violated OpenAI’s consent policy. Major Hollywood agencies, including CAA and UTA, condemned OpenAI for risking talent’s rights. In response, OpenAI acknowledged its oversight, labeling the incidents as “unintentional” and implemented stricter guardrails to prevent future misuse. This collaboration between Hollywood unions and OpenAI highlights a crucial moment in safeguarding performers’ rights. Cranston emphasized the importance of legislation like the NO FAKES Act to protect individuals from unauthorized AI replicas, a sentiment echoed by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman.
