Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Hollywood legend Robin Williams, has publicly urged people to stop sending her AI-generated videos that recreate her father’s likeness and voice.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, the filmmaker wrote, “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad… It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and it’s NOT what he’d want.” She added that such content disrespects her father’s memory and reduces his legacy to artificial imitations.
Robin Williams, beloved for films such as Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and Mrs. Doubtfire, passed away in 2014 at age 63. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from Lewy body dementia, a condition that had severely affected his mental health.
Zelda Williams has spoken out before about AI recreations of her father. In 2023, she called them “personally disturbing” while supporting the SAG-AFTRA campaign opposing unauthorized use of AI to replicate performers’ voices and likenesses.
Her latest statement comes amid growing controversy around AI-generated “digital humans.” The recent unveiling of AI actor Tilly Norwood, created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, reignited debate about the ethics of synthetic performers.
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA condemned Norwood, saying AI characters “have no emotion” and lack the essence of real human experience. Actress Emily Blunt also called the trend “terrifying,” urging agencies to protect human artistry.
Zelda concluded her post with a sharp critique of AI content, comparing it to “recycling and regurgitating the past.” She wrote, “You’re not making art — you’re making over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings.”
Her words echo a broader sentiment among artists and fans: that AI can never replicate the authenticity, creativity, and emotion that defined icons like Robin Williams.
