“Iron Man” star Robert Downey, Jr. is laying down some boundaries on the use of his likeness for digital replicas created with generative AI.

The actor, who appeared in eleven Marvel Cinematic Universe films as Tony Stark, told the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast that he would “sue all future executives” who attempted to create a digital replica of him.

Asked about Marvel Studios executives seeking to resurrect his portrayal of Tony Stark without his involvement, using generative AI, Downey, Jr. said that, “I’m not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul, because there’s like, three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me.”

When host Kara Swisher pointed out that other executives might, in the future, Downey, Jr. responded that, “I intend to sue all future executives just on spec,” and that even after his death, “My law firm will still be very active.”

The actor was sanguine about the prospect of digital replicas, noting that, “I feel about it minimally because I have an actual emotional life that’s occurring that doesn’t have a lot of room for that.”

That may be because Downey, Jr. has already had his likeness scanned and used on-screen, with digital doubles used for action sequences in the “Avengers” films, and the actor himself being digitally de-aged for 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”

Downey, Jr. is currently grappling with the implications of AI on Broadway in the play “McNEAL,” in which he plays a novelist who uses the technology to help him write his latest work.

The play’s writer, Ayed Akhtar, used generative AI while penning the script, he told Swisher.

“One of the things that I wanted the play to do was to create that sense of magic,” he said, adding that, “you have that in the final monologue, where the monologue appears generated by AI, that there’s a sense of magic that this is actually happening—because I feel that that’s been my experience.” He conceded that, “I had to imitate the AI in order to make it work for the play; I couldn’t get the AI to do it itself.”

“Its ability to now analyze a story and identify the weaknesses and potential opportunities is the thing that has been most surprising.” Akhtar added.

Actors and AI

The film industry is divided over the use of generative AI, with actor Nicolas Cage recently calling the technology “inhumane,” and accusing the studios of wanting to use AI to “change your face after you’ve already shot it.”

Under a 2023 agreement struck between actors’ union SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, studios are permitted to create “employment based digital replicas” (EBDRs) made with the actor’s participation, and independently created digital replicas (ICDRs) made without the direct involvement of the original actor.

While the actor’s union has reached an agreement with motion picture producers, SAG-AFTRA is currently striking over the use of artificial intelligence in video game productions. The union is seeking a deal that would require video game producers to secure consent from performers over the use of AI to replicate their voices, likenesses and performances, as well as compensating performers for the use of their digital replicas in games.

Edited by Stacy Elliott.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino has previewed the company’s latest innovation in Artificial Intelligence at the Lugano Plan ₿ event. The AI development kit prioritizes privacy and leverages peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, enabling developers to write code once and deploy it across various platforms. 

This includes low-end mobile phones, flagship smartphones, high-performance computers, and even smart appliances. Ardoino emphasized the kit’s modularity, allowing support for multiple AI models and decentralized storage of data.

Tether CEO Introduces Versatile AI Kit Using P2P Tech

In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted the features of Tether’s Local AI SDK, which is built on P2P technology. The SDK enables developers to write code on a wide range of devices, from $40 mobile phones to high-end systems equipped with H100 processors. This flexibility provides adaptability across different technological environments.

In addition, the AI SDK’s modular structure supports different models such as Marian and Llama, making it adaptable to various use cases. It also offers the ability to load and store model weights and fine-tune data in P2P data structures, ensuring privacy and decentralization. This approach aligns with Tether’s emphasis on creating secure and scalable Artificial Intelligence solutions for diverse applications.

More so, Tether CEO Ardoino described the AI kit’s modularity as one of its core strengths. This characteristic allows developers to use models that best suit their needs while maintaining data integrity through decentralized storage mechanisms. The AI SDK’s flexibility means it can be used in applications ranging from localized translations to complex computations, making it accessible for everyday users and enterprise-level projects.

The Local AI SDK is designed to store data within a P2P framework, providing a secure environment for sensitive information. This structure enhances privacy, reducing reliance on centralized servers. Moreover, Tether aims to address growing concerns about data security and control, offering an alternative to traditional AI deployment methods.

Coinbase’s On-Chain AI Agents Complement Industry Trends

Additionally, Coinbase recently introduced a new set of fully on-chain AI agents on its Ethereum Layer 2 network, Base. These AI agents can manage crypto wallets, interact with decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and perform transactions autonomously. The integration of AI into blockchain networks is a step toward creating digital ecosystems where AI agents operate independently without human oversight.

The Coinbase development aligns with Tether’s focus on Artificial Intelligence and privacy-centric solutions. As AI capabilities expand in the crypto space, both Tether and Coinbase aim to provide tools that address scalability and security challenges.

However, the AI technology comes as Tether CEO and the company face scrutiny over a reported U.S. investigation. While the company has refuted claims of an ongoing probe, market participants remain cautious. Historically, regulatory concerns around Tether have influenced market behavior, leading to shifts in investor sentiment and trading patterns.

The impact of the investigation will extend to liquidity changes as traders assess the stability of Tether’s USDT stablecoin. As Tether continues to innovate, the company must also navigate the regulatory landscape to maintain its position.

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Ronny Mugendi

Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.

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