Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella Parton, has urged fans to stop sharing “fake AI trash” and misinformation on social media following the country music icon’s death.
After Dolly Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80, tributes to the legendary singer appeared across social media and at locations including the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Stella Parton thanked fans who have offered “true support” to Dolly and the family. However, she said the “huge amount of AI and endless garbage posted online” has been difficult to process.
Her appeal for greater compassion follows similar warnings from the families of other late celebrities, who have criticized the use of artificial intelligence to create fake tributes and videos.
After actor and comedian Robin Williams died, his daughter Zelda Williams asked fans not to send her AI-generated videos that falsely recreate her father.
Bernice A. King, daughter of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., also echoed the criticism, urging people to “stop it” in an Instagram post.
Amy Redford, daughter of actor Robert Redford, later spoke about the impact of AI-generated tributes, external following her father’s death last September.
“All humans experience pain and loss in their lives, and my family is no exception,” Stella Parton wrote in an Instagram post, external.
“Sadly, as we have lived our lives in public, we have been exposed to incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers.”
She criticized the wave of AI-generated content and what she called “trash” posted online, warning that people who exploit the grief and tragedy of others will eventually move on to another wave of misinformation.
Stella also encouraged the public to view Dolly Parton’s life as an example of tolerance, kindness and mutual respect.
“It’s not about the smartest comments or fake AI garbage or mean tweets,” she wrote.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk