Los Angeles, California – George Carlin’s estate has recently come to a resolution with the creators of a comedy special that utilized artificial intelligence to mimic the late comedian. In an agreement pending approval from a judge in the Central District of California, the team responsible for producing, sharing, and promoting the controversial special titled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead” will be permanently banned from distributing the hour-long video on any of their platforms. They have also agreed to obtain approval from Carlin’s estate before using the comedian’s image, voice, or likeness in the future.
Lawyer Joshua Schiller, representing the plaintiffs, expressed satisfaction with the settlement, emphasizing the importance of protecting Carlin’s legacy and addressing the potential risks posed by advancements in technology. The resolution is seen as a positive outcome for the estate and sets a precedent for handling similar disputes involving the infringement of rights by AI technology.
The fake Carlin comedy special, which surfaced on YouTube in January, sparked criticism from Carlin’s fans. The alleged AI engine “Dudesy” claimed to have studied Carlin’s material in an attempt to replicate his voice, style, and comedic themes. However, many viewers questioned the authenticity of the AI-generated content. Following the release of the special, the comedian’s estate took legal action, accusing the hosts of the podcast, Will Sasso and Chad Kultgen, as well as Dudesy LLC and other unnamed individuals associated with the project, of unlawfully appropriating Carlin’s identity for training an AI model.
Kelly Carlin, the late comedian’s daughter, expressed relief over the swift resolution of the case and the removal of the contentious video. She highlighted the incident as a cautionary tale about the potential risks posed by AI technologies and the necessity of establishing safeguards to protect the interests of artists and individuals worldwide. The settlement has effectively safeguarded Carlin’s legacy and underscored the importance of respecting the rights of public figures in the age of evolving technology.