Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LeBron James’ lawyers have sent out cease-and-desist letters in an effort to have AI-generated videos of the Los Angeles Lakers star appearing pregnant removed from social media.
According to a report from 404 Media, lawyers representing the basketball legend sent cease-and-desist letters to the creators of the AI tool that made the videos and a Discord community in which they were posted.
Given that LeBron’s lawyers are actively taking legal measures to take these videos down, we won’t be embedding one here, however you can find one on PFT Commenter’s Twitter account.
LeBron James’ lawyers filing cease-and-desist letters to take down AI-created videos of LBJ appearing pregnant
“The creators of an AI tool and Discord community that allowed people to create AI videos of NBA stars says that it got a cease-and-desist letter from lawyers representing LeBron James,” reported 404 Media.
“This marks one of the first known times that a high-profile celebrity has threatened legal action against an AI company for enabling the creation of nonconsensual AI imagery of their likeness. It is also one of the first times we’ve seen a celebrity take legal action against a type of nonconsensual but not strictly sexual type of AI-generated content, which is rampant on Instagram and other social media”
The report adds that “at least three Instagram accounts that had garnered millions of views on nonconsensual AI videos of James have been deleted by Instagram,” although Meta refused to comment when asked if they, too, receive a cease-and-desist letter from LeBron’s attorneys.
LeBron is currently gearing up for his 23rd season in the NBA and his eighth with the Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron had two separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers — bringing them their historic first NBA title in 2016 — and the Miami Heat, where he won another two NBA titles alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.