Robert Downey Jr. says he 'intends to sue' all future executives who use his AI replica

On a caller section of nan “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, nan Oscar-winning character said he intends to “sue each early executives” who let an AI-created type of him

LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Downey Jr. doesn't deliberation Marvel executives would ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark utilizing artificial intelligence. But if they did, he would lawyer up — moreover posthumously.

On a caller section of nan “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, nan Oscar-winning character said he intends to “sue each early executives” who let an AI-created type of him. Speaking astir his domiciled arsenic Iron Man, Downey said he does not want his likeness recreated by AI technology.

“I americium not worried astir them hijacking my character’s psyche because there’s for illustration 3 aliases 4 guys and gals who make each nan decisions location anyhow and they would ne'er do that to me, pinch aliases without me,” Downey said.

Swisher noted that those executives would yet beryllium replaced.

“Well, you’re right,” Downey said. “I would for illustration to present authorities that I intend to writer each early executives conscionable connected spec.”

“You’ll beryllium dead,” Swisher said.

Downey replied: “But my rule patient will still beryllium very active.”

Representatives for Marvel Studios and for Downey did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.

The chat comes amid nan Hollywood video crippled performers’ strike, which began successful July aft much than 18 months of negotiations complete a caller interactive media statement pinch crippled manufacture giants collapsed down complete artificial intelligence protections.

Leaders of nan Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists person billed nan issues down nan labour conflict — and AI successful peculiar — arsenic an existential situation for performers. Concerns astir really movie studios will usage AI helped fuel past year’s movie and tv strikes by nan union, which lasted 4 months. SAG-AFTRA ultimately signed a deal requiring productions to get nan informed consent of actors whose integer replicas are used.

Downey made his Broadway debut this period successful “McNeal,” a one-act play by Ayad Akhtar that delves into themes of artificial intelligence, creator integrity, plagiarism and copyright infringement. The 59-year-old character plays nan titular character, Jacob McNeal, an acclaimed novelist whose battles pinch alcoholism and intelligence unwellness culminate astatine a important juncture successful his career.

“I don’t envy anyone who has been over-identified pinch nan advent of this caller shape of nan accusation age,” Downey said. “The thought that someway it belongs to them because they person these ace immense start-ups is simply a fallacy.”

The podcast section explored questions nan play raises astir truth and powerfulness successful nan property of AI, and whether location is simply a “social contract” related to nan usage of AI.

Downey's upcoming domiciled arsenic Doctor Doom successful “Avengers: Doomsday” will bring him backmost to nan Marvel Cinematic Universe successful 2026.