Mumbai, September 6, 2024: Time Magazine has unveiled its highly anticipated list of the 100 Most Influential People in the realm of Artificial Intelligence, featuring an eclectic mix of entrepreneurs, scientists, tech leaders, and artists. Notably, Bollywood star Anil Kapoor has become the only Indian actor to make the prestigious list, marking a significant moment in his career and highlighting his impact beyond cinema.
Kapoor’s inclusion in the list can be traced back to his legal battle last year, when the Delhi High Court passed an order restraining the misuse of his name, image, voice, and signature catchphrase “jhakaas” for commercial purposes. The case underscored the need for safeguarding celebrity personality rights in the age of digital replication and AI-driven content creation. The actor had filed a lawsuit against several websites and platforms that were allegedly exploiting his persona through unauthorized merchandise sales, morphing his image, and using his photograph for commercial gain, all without his consent.
The court’s ruling set an important precedent for protecting the rights of individuals whose fame has made them vulnerable to misuse, particularly in the rapidly advancing AI and digital landscape. The judgment emphasized that while free speech is vital, it becomes illegal when it crosses the line into tarnishing someone’s reputation or profiting from their persona without permission.
Anil Kapoor’s contribution to this broader conversation about the ethical use of AI and digital rights earned him a place on Time’s influential list. Kapoor will next be seen in the upcoming action drama Subedaar, directed by Suresh Triveni, slated to be a high-octane thriller.
Scarlett Johansson Also on the List
Kapoor isn’t the only actor on the list. Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has also secured a spot for her ongoing battle against the unauthorized use of her voice. Johansson made headlines last year when she revealed that OpenAI had approached her to lend her voice to an AI system, which she declined. However, she was later shocked to hear a demo that featured a voice eerily similar to hers. After legal intervention, OpenAI reluctantly took down the AI-generated voice.
Johansson’s case is particularly relevant given her role as the voice of an AI assistant in the 2013 film Her, which further highlights the growing intersections between artificial intelligence, entertainment, and digital ethics. She will soon appear in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Both Kapoor and Johansson’s inclusion in the list serves as a reminder of the increasing importance of AI in modern celebrity culture and the legal protections necessary to guard against misuse in this evolving space.
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