Hollywood star Will Smith has come under intense scrutiny after uploading a promotional tour video containing apparent visual anomalies linked to AI-generated effects. Fans and viewers quickly noticed several disturbing glitches in the footage showcasing the audience during his ongoing “Based on a True Story” summer tour, raising questions about the authenticity of the video.
The video, posted on Smith’s official YouTube channel, was intended as a heartfelt message of appreciation to fans, with the caption, “My favourite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too.” However, internet users pointed out multiple glitches including blurred and melting faces, distorted body parts, and uncanny errors such as individuals with six fingers or hands merging unnaturally with signs. One particularly glaring moment showed a man’s knuckle blending weirdly into a sign that read: “‘You Can Make It’ helped me survive cancer.” Such visual inconsistencies were interpreted as evidence that the audience footage might have been artificially generated or heavily manipulated using AI technology.
Social media reaction was swift and critical. Comments labeled the video “embarrassing” and “tragic,” with many expressing disappointment that a star of Smith’s stature would resort to AI-enhancement rather than capture genuine crowd scenes. Some speculated that the apparent AI synthesis was deliberately used to create hype or distract from other issues. Others found the poorly rendered crowd distortions unsettling, given the current controversies surrounding AI use in the entertainment and music industries.
This controversy arrives amid Smith’s first headline tour since releasing his first album in two decades earlier this year in March. The tour kicked off in Scarborough, England, on August 24 and is scheduled to visit multiple UK cities including Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Wolverhampton. Previously, Smith had received praise for emotionally charged performances, such as his poignant tribute to late actor James Avery during a show in Las Vegas.
However, this AI video controversy risks overshadowing his comeback efforts, recalling the damage to Smith’s public image following the 2022 Oscars incident. As the use of artificial intelligence in music and media attracts growing scrutiny, the implications of deploying AI-generated imagery that misrepresents reality could pose significant reputational risks. Industry reports note that AI music content is rising rapidly, with tens of thousands of AI-generated tracks submitted daily and billions in AI developer revenues forecasted in the near term.
While some fans remain supportive of Smith’s tour and creative ventures, the reaction to this video underlines the contentious debates on AI’s role in artistic expression and authenticity. Whether inadvertent or intentional, the perceived AI manipulation of crowd footage in this promotional video has sparked a heated conversation about transparency, ethics, and the limits of digital enhancement in live entertainment.
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