AI Video of Mona Lisa Rapping Sparks Controversy Among Viewers

The internet is abuzz with reactions to a new artificial intelligence-generated video featuring the iconic subject of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” painting singing along to a rap written and performed by actor Anne Hathaway. The clip, created using Microsoft’s new AI technology called VASA-1, has sparked a wide range of responses online, from amusement to unease.

The VASA-1 technology is capable of generating lifelike talking faces of virtual characters using just a single image and speech audio clip. In the viral video, the woman in the “Mona Lisa” painting can be seen singing along to Hathaway’s rap, with her mouth, eyes, and face moving in sync with the music. Other clips released by Microsoft showcase avatars and real people speaking on various topics.

The online reactions to the videos have been swift and varied. While some viewers found the clips entertaining and humorous, others expressed concern and even fear about the implications of such advanced AI technology. Microsoft’s researchers have emphasized that they have no plans to release the technology for public use until they are certain it will be used responsibly and in compliance with regulations.

As governments worldwide grapple with regulating AI technology to prevent criminal misuse, the emergence of deepfake pornography has raised additional concerns. The issue of deepfakes, where an individual’s face is superimposed onto explicit content without their consent, has prompted legislative action in some states in the U.S. and calls for federal laws to address the issue.