Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt warns AI developers of intimacy hijacking and democratic risks

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, recently appointed as the United Nations’ global advocate for human-centric digital governance, expressed deep concern about the direction of artificial intelligence. Speaking in a vlog interview, he emphasized that the real danger lies in AI systems being engineered to hijack personal intimacy, fostering emotional bonds that could be exploited. He linked this trend to a broader decline in democracy and human empathy, warning that corporations are betting on AI to control the entire economy, a scenario he likened to totalitarianism.

Gordon-Levitt also noted his involvement in a collective of over 700 artists, including Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett, who oppose AI misuse of copyrighted works. His UN appointment, created to improve public awareness of how digital tools shape rights and opportunities, underscores his commitment to these issues.