In a sign of litigation to come, Scarlett Johansson sues AI app over use of likeness

The ScarJos are always the first to know. Years after she broke new ground by suing Disney for its Black Widow day-and-date debacle, Johansson is now among the first celebrities to sue an AI company for using her likeness.

The app in question is called “Lisa AI: Yearbook and Avatar.” Primarily used for something called the ‘90s Yearbook Challenge, the app allows users to post airbrushed photos of themselves in front of a blue or grey background.

“What’s up, guys? It’s Scarlett, and I want you to come with me,” the ad begins, using actual footage of Johansson before slipping into an uncanny approximation of the actor. “It’s not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn’t miss it.”

“Images produced by Lisa AI,” the ad’s disclaimer reads. “It has nothing to do with this person.”

While we assume that “likeness” is used loosely and that Johansson’s artificially generated doppelganger has far more teeth and fingers than the actor, that hasn’t slowed her resolve. “We do not take these things lightly. Per our usual course of action in these circumstances, we will deal with it with all legal remedies that we will have,” Johansson’s attorney, Kevin Yorn, told Variety.

The 22-second ad appeared on—where else—the crumbling social media app formerly known as Twitter, where advertising regulations have collapsed since the billionaire son of an emerald mine owner who thinks Blade Runner is about a guy named Bladerunner bought the company. Perhaps due to litigation, the commercial has been scrubbed from the internet.

This won’t be the last time a celebrity sues an artificial intelligence company for using their likeness without permission. Still, it’s a perfect life hack for entrepreneurs looking to bankrupt their company before it gets off the ground.