Tom Hanks Issues Warning About Fraudulent AI-Generated Ads Using His Face

Actor Tom Hanks cautioned his social media followers on Thursday not to trust AI-generated versions of him.

The actor’s warning comes amidst a growing trend of celebrities, such as Drake, The Weeknd and Taylor Swift, whose images and identities have been misappropriated in AI-generated content for advertisements, songs, political endorsements and more.

In an Instagram post, Hanks stated, “There are multiple ads circulating online that falsely use my name, likeness, and voice to promote miracle cures and wonder drugs.” 

He cautioned, “Do not be fooled. Do not be swindled. Do not lose your hard-earned money.”

Hanks emphasized that these advertisements were created without his consent and were “fraudulent through AI.” He asserted that he is not associated with these promotions or the products they market in any form. As a public figure intentionally open about his experience with type 2 diabetes, Hanks noted his commitment to working exclusively with certified medical professionals regarding his treatment.

In May, actress Scarlett Johansson accused OpenAI of using a voice that resembled hers in its GPT-4o model despite her refusal to license her voice for the project.

Several state and federal lawmakers have advocated for enhanced protections in response to the rising misuse of personal identities in the digital space. Recently, Tennessee enacted the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act), which, effective last month, aims to safeguard individuals from unauthorized use of their likeness and voice.