What to Know
Two months after actor Robert Redford died at the age of 89, his daughter, Amy Redford, is speaking out. Apparently, people have been creating AI content using her dad to pay tribute to him, and she’s had enough.
Making an impassioned plea to her followers on Instagram, Amy asked for it all to stop — especially since people are using the tech to create footage of her and her family mourning at funeral services that never happened.
Amy started out by thanking people for their support during this difficult time for her family.
Robert Redford, who was best known for his prolific career in movies, including All the President’s Men, died on September 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah, as multiple outlets including People confirmed at the time.
Since then, so many fans have been remembering Robert on social media — something that Amy, 55, is definitely aware of.
“I want to thank you for the overwhelming love and support that has come by way of emails, texts, DMs, snail mail, and sometimes drops on my doorstep since my dad’s passing,” her message began. “It’s clear that he meant so much to so many, and I know that my family is humbled by the outpouring of stories and tributes from all corners of the globe.”
Then, she condemned the use of AI in relation to her late father.
While Amy is appreciative that so many people are sharing how much they loved her dad and his work, she feels that some of those tributes are taking things a bit too far.
“There have been multiple AI versions of funerals, tributes, and quotes from members of my family that are fabrications,” Amy continued. “Renderings of my Dad who clearly has no say, and depictions of my family that do not represent anyone in a positive light are extra challenging during a difficult time. We are grieving together, and we are all in support of one another.”
The family hopes to plan a memorial in the future.
Amy confirmed that their family hasn’t had a public funeral for her dad, though they are now “working out plans for a memorial in the future.”
She went on to share how she really feels about AI in general, adding, “My hope is to keep AI in the land of transparent usage where it belongs. There were many elements of it that were created with good intent. I simply ask, what if this was you? Let that be your guidepost.”
The comments on her post were all very supportive, so hopefully, people are taking her message to heart. Her family deserves to mourn Robert in the way that feels right to them.
