Michael Douglas has revealed his plans to license his “name and likeness” as he discussed the future of his career amid the rise of AI-generated content and NFTs.
The veteran actor, 78, is known for his iconic performances in Wall Street, Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction.
During his career spanning almost six decades, the Hollywood star has notably won two Oscars, five Golden Globes, and the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award among others.
Despite enjoying a long and successful life in front of the camera, Douglas admitted that he’s already thinking about the next chapter of his career, the one after he dies.
The screen star revealed that he’s planning to license his voice and face among other things in a bid to protect them from being used without consent in the future.
Asked whether he would consider selling his digital image in a bid to star in TV and film after he dies, he told The Guardian: “It’s funny you should mention that. You get to an age where you start thinking about your will and estate.
“Now I’m thinking I’m also going to have to license my name and likeness so the rights go to my family rather than to the metaverse. I see what AI is doing with pictures with text.
“It’s only matter of time before you’ll be able to recreate any dead person at any age with the voice and the mannerisms, so I want to have some control.”
Interestingly, Douglas’ comments come during a rise in deepfake AI-generated audio clips.
Recently, a voice technology company’s software was used to generate celebrity voices to read highly inappropriate statements.
In January, ElevenLabs, which uses artificial intelligence to generate realistic speech, was targeted by internet trolls who used the product to generate different celebrities’ voices in a bid to read racist, and misogynistic comments.
Emma Watson, Sir David Attenborough, president Joe Biden, film director James Cameron, Tom Cruise, and podcaster Joe Rogan were some of the notable figures targeted.
In light of the furore, the company announced that it would introduce “extra safeguards” after it was used inappropriately.
