AI Video Of Celebrities Hugging Their Younger Selves

VIDEO BELOW ARTICLE:

For some reason, an artist has taken images of celebrities hanging out with their younger selves and given them the AI treatment — and the results are positively nightmarish. Dutch artist Ard Gelinck, known for his manipulated images of celebrities like Will Smith, Keanu Reeves, and Tom Hanks canoodling with their younger selves, initially gained mild viral fame in 2021. Back then, his work was praised for its nostalgic charm and technical skill. However, three years later, the digital art landscape has drastically evolved, particularly with the advent of AI technologies.

Gelinck decided to revisit his past work by incorporating AI into his creations, resulting in a series of videos that are both fascinating and unsettling. The artist himself acknowledged the eerie nature of his new creations, admitting in an Instagram post that they're "f*cking scary."

The Cursed Results of AI Manipulation

While Gelinck seems to think his creation is the good kind of scary, others find it to be creepy in the worst way. The AI-generated videos showcase an unsettling fusion of past and present, creating a jarring visual experience that has left many viewers feeling uneasy. In one of the videos, viewers are confronted with a strange-looking Emma Watson hugging herself as Harry Potter's Hermione Granger, while another shows a grown-up Will Smith posing with his younger self from the "Fresh Prince" era. One X (formerly Twitter) user joked that it might be "the most cursed thing on the internet."

Another user was even more scathing with their criticism, humorously crafting an AI prompt: "Hey AI, what would it look like if a bunch of celebrities were in love with their younger selves? Make it really awkward and creepy."

The Triple Michael Jackson Conundrum

One particular video that drew significant attention featured not just two, but three Michael Jacksons: one from his later years prior to his death in 2009, another at the height of his pop career, and a third from his childhood in the Jackson Five. The bizarre sight of three different versions of the same person in one frame was particularly jarring, prompting one user to note, "This one stood out for some reason."

The Uncanny Valley of Generative AI

Even with recent years' leaps and bounds in sophistication, these sorts of outputs are still so uncanny that they even seem to freak out the people creating them — a certain indictment of the reality of generative AI as it stands today. The discomfort caused by these videos highlights the current limitations and ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content. While the technology has advanced remarkably, it still struggles to overcome the uncanny valley, where human-like creations evoke a sense of unease and discomfort.

The Future of AI in Digital Art

Gelinck's experiment serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of AI in digital art. As artists and technologists continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, they must also grapple with the ethical and emotional impact of their creations.

In conclusion, Ard Gelinck's AI-enhanced videos of celebrities hugging their younger selves have sparked a mixed reaction online. While some appreciate the novelty and technical prowess, many find the results deeply unsettling. This controversy underscores the need for ongoing dialogue about the role of AI in art and the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and empathy.

Visit Dan Lalonde Films For All Technology And Entertainment News

Source: Futurism

Photo Credit: AI