Additional Coverage:
- Matthew McConaughey tells young actors the AI wave is inescapable, so they should protect their likeness (businessinsider.com)
Alright, Alright, Alright: Matthew McConaughey Urges Actors to Trademark Their Likeness Amidst AI Boom
Austin, TX – In a future where an AI model could potentially snag an Oscar for Best Actor, Matthew McConaughey is urging emerging talent to get proactive. The real McConaughey, known for his laid-back charm and iconic roles, recently engaged in a lively discussion with fellow actor Timothée Chalamet at a CNN and Variety Town Hall event held at the University of Texas at Austin.
Their focus? The rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.
McConaughey didn’t mince words, emphasizing that simply making a moral plea against AI’s rise won’t cut it. “It’s not enough – it may be for you – but it’s not going to be enough to sit on the sidelines and make the moral plea that ‘no, this is wrong!'”
McConaughey stated. “That’s not going to last.
There’s too much money to be made, and it’s too productive. It’s here.”
During the discussion, set to air on CNN this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, McConaughey passionately advised students to seek legal protections for their unique voices and appearances.
“I say, own yourself, voice, likeness, etc. Trademark it!”
he declared.
His reasoning is clear: trademarks offer individuals greater control over their personal brand and the opportunity for fair compensation. “So, when it comes – not if it comes – no one can steal you,” McConaughey explained.
“They’re going to have to come to you and go, ‘Can I?’ Or, they’re going to be in breach.
And you’ll have the chance to be your own agency and go, ‘yeah, for this amount,’ or ‘no.'”
McConaughey himself has already taken significant steps to safeguard his identity. According to The Wall Street Journal, the “Interstellar” actor has had eight trademark applications approved in recent months, including his famous “alright, alright, alright!” catchphrase from “Dazed and Confused.”
“My team and I want to know that when my voice or likeness is ever used, it’s because I approved and signed off on it,” McConaughey told the Journal. “We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world.”
An attorney representing McConaughey underscored the urgency of these measures, stating, “In a world where we’re watching everybody scramble to figure out what to do about AI misuse, we have a tool now to stop someone in their tracks or take them to federal court.”
As AI continues to make inroads into various industries, McConaughey’s proactive stance serves as a wake-up call for individuals to protect their intellectual property and ensure their future in a technologically advanced world.