Tom Hanks Cautions Fans About AI Ads Featuring His Likeness

Tom Hanks has made a significant announcement on his official Instagram account to clarify that he is not involved in selling any drugs.

On August 29, the acclaimed actor, now 68, took to social media after discovering that advertisements were being created that misused his name, likeness, and voice to promote dubious miracle cures and wonder drugs.

In his post, Hanks expressed his concern, stating, “These ads have been created without my consent, fraudulently, and through AI.” He did not specify any particular scams but conveyed a clear message of disassociation from any related products or treatments.

Hanks further added that he has type 2 diabetes but only engages in treatment under the guidance of a “board-certified doctor.” He urged his followers, saying, “DO NOT BE FOOLED. DO NOT BE SWINDLED. DO NOT LOSE YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY.” He concluded his post with his signature, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and captioned it, “EXTRA! EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!”

This is not the first instance where Hanks has voiced his concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies mimicking him without permission. In October 2023, he alerted his followers about a promotional video for a dental plan featuring a computer-generated version of himself, warning them to “BEWARE!!”

He described the scenario, saying, “There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it,” underscoring his lack of involvement in such projects.

The actor, recognized for his roles in iconic films like Forrest Gump, has discussed the implications of AI within the creative industries. In an interview on The Adam Buxton Podcast in May, he remarked on how the topic has “always been lingering.”

Hanks referenced an earlier experience with AI technology in filmmaking, particularly hailing from his participation in the animated film The Polar Express released in 2004. He noted, “The first time we did a movie that had a huge amount of our own data locked in a computer — literally what we looked like — was [this film].”

He elaborated on how they anticipated the potential of technology, stating, “We saw this coming. We saw that there was going to be this ability to take zeros and ones inside a computer and turn it into a face and a character.” He remarked that since then, advancements in AI have exponentially increased, leading to its widespread application in media today.

In light of increased concerns surrounding the use of AI technologies, a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act. This proposed legislation aims to enhance the protection of individuals’ rights concerning unauthorized uses of their likenesses and voices, covering not only living celebrities but also those who have passed away.

Such measures could provide actors and artists like Hanks with better avenues to legally contest the exploitation of their likeness in unauthorized ways. Hanks’s warnings and the discussions surrounding AI misuse underscore a broader conversation about how technology intersects with personal rights and creative industries.