Сan Celebs Benefit from AI and Help Others? This Superstar Says Yes

Summary

• Limiting the use of AI in the industry was one of the main reasons behind this year's SAG-AFTRA strike.
• Some top-tier actors have suffered from the technology, but others want to use it to do good.
• One huge star is collaborating with a tech company to create an AI-enhanced tool for small businesses.

It's been two weeks since the SAG-AFTRA and PACT unions reached an agreement ending this year's 118-day actors' strike and getting Hollywood back to work. Needless to say, both parties were happy to go back to business, as the actors themselves were tired of doing nothing. But it's important to remember why it took the guilds so long to negotiate a deal.

Beyond the obvious financial reasons stemming from the advent of streaming services, the SAG-AFTRA union had more serious concerns. The guild sought to protect its members from identity theft by artificial intelligence.

In fact, there have been a number of cases where A-listers' AI-generated images have been used in online ads without their permission - the cases of Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson are prime examples. Naturally, many stars fear the advancement of this technology. Yet there are some who embrace and advocate it, saying that AI can be used for glorious purposes.

Who Is Queen Latifah?

This multi-talented actress and rapper probably needs no introduction, but for those who don't, here's a reminder. Dana Elaine Owens, commonly known as Queen Latifah, is one of the few artists to have won a Grammy, an Emmy, a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Academy Award. The star of Fox's classic sitcom Living Single and CBS' reboot of The Equalizer, she appeared in many popular films of the 2000s, including Last Holiday.

In the music department, Queen Latifah has released seven albums, the latest of which, Persona, was released in 2009. She also runs her own production label, making her a true icon in the entertainment industry. Currently, she's collaborating with Lenovo on a project to help small businesses succeed with the help of AI-powered advertising, meaning Queen Latifah has lent her image to technology to help people succeed.

Queen Latifah and Lenovo's Evolve Small Program

Available in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Raleigh, and Toronto, the initiative in question will provide applicants with customized AI-generated ads using Queen Latifah's imagery to help various small businesses thrive.

'This is something we've been working on for quite a while, and of course I have my concerns [about AI] just like everyone else. But we talk about it, about how we're going to use my image and likeness,' the artist said in an interview.

Despite being a bit wary of the technology, Queen Latifah admittedly wants to help small businesses that might not otherwise be able to afford her services succeed. Still, she stands with the Screen Actors Guild and understands other stars' concerns about technology.

'I'm down with the union when it comes to that. Nobody wants to have their image and likeness just recreated in perpetuity. That's unacceptable,' Queen Latifah added.

Still, the actress is a wonderful example of how A-listers can actually make a difference in this world by using AI instead of running away from it.

Source: People.