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Artificial Intelligence, or A.I., has recently become a controversial topic. Especially when it comes to the ethics behind it.
Tupac Shakur’s Estate Ready to Take Action Against A.I. Videos
Because of the technological advancements, people are now able to create videos. Featuring actors, entertainers, and even civil rights leaders in situations they would have never been in while they were alive.
Many of the loved ones of these entertainers have asked the creators of these AI videos to stop. But representatives of one celebrity are ready to put their money where their mouths are.
According to an October 9 report from Houston Williams of AllHipHop, representatives of late rap star Tupac Shakur are “furious” about the AI videos of him that have been circulating on social media.
In the report, Williams notes that Pac’s estate is not taking the videos of the rap star “lightly” and that they have also begun “weighing their options.”
He also notes that the estate is “frustrated” and is “preparing to speak out online soon.”
This isn’t the first instance where the late rapper’s estate has had to intervene. Concerning his name and likeness being used with the help of artificial intelligence.
Shakur became a hot topic during Drake’s 2024 rap feud with Kendrick Lamar. One of the tracks aimed at Kendrick, titled “Taylor Made,” featured A.I.-generated verses from Pac. After the track was released, Tupac’s estate expressed that they were “deeply dismayed” that Drake used an A.I. sample of the late rap star’s voice.
“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed. By your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” The late rapper’s estate wrote in a statement. “Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”
