Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor Robin Williams, has taken to social media to criticise an AI-generated video that falsely portrays her father discussing conspiracy theories. The video, which has gained traction online, has been labelled by Zelda as misleading and disrespectful, as it exploits her father’s likeness and voice without consent.
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In her Instagram story shared on 21 September, Zelda aimed her frustration not only at those who believed the fabricated content but also at the creators of the video. “For those still being duped by falsehoods, that supposedly ‘private video’ of dad that I’ve been shown talking about conspiracies is clearly AI, and not even particularly convincing AI,” she wrote. The actress highlighted the robotic nature of the voice in the video, imploring fans to recognise that it lacked the authenticity of her father’s unique style.
Zelda did not stop at addressing the misconceptions surrounding the video. She also had strong words for those who resort to using AI technology to generate content featuring deceased performers. “That said, a human made a robot to create it, and to you I say: leave him out of your delusional bulls— and let him rest,” she insisted. Her remarks raise concerns about ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI to replicate the voices and likenesses of individuals who can no longer give their consent.
This is not the first time Zelda has spoken out against the use of AI in relation to her father. Earlier in October 2023, she expressed her distress at the capabilities of AI technology to recreate Robin’s voice, stating it was especially troubling as he could not consent to its use. She made it clear that this issue is critical, stating, “I am not an impartial voice in SAG’s fight against AI. I’ve witnessed for years how many people want to train these models to create/recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad.”
In her past messages, Zelda highlighted the broader implications of AI usage in the industry, asserting that living actors should be given the opportunity to express their own creativity and choices. She emphasised the importance of human effort in the art of performance, advocating for artists to be able to make their own contributions without interference from AI-driven reproductions.
Fast forward to 2025, Zelda reiterated her discontent, asking fans to refrain from sending her AI-generated videos of her father. On 6 October of that year, she stated, “If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on. But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop.” She underlined her belief that the essence of performers should not be reduced to mere imitations or recognisable images for the sake of online entertainment.
Zelda conveyed her disdain for how the legacies of real individuals can be overshadowed by the production of superficial online content. “To watch the legacies of real people be condensed down to ‘This vaguely looks and sounds like them so that’s enough,’ just so other people can churn out horrible TikTok solo puppeteering them is maddening,” she remarked.
In her latest posts, she expressed her enduring love for her father as a motivation to speak out. “I hate this cesspool of an app. It’s mostly bots and people willingly being duped by bots at this point,” she wrote, acknowledging the influence of social media on perceptions of authenticity. Ultimately, Zelda concluded with a poignant reminder: “Just because he’s gone does not mean he’s now your puppet. Have some shame.”
Robin Williams, who passed away by suicide on 11 August 2014 at the age of 63, is remembered for his remarkable contributions to film, including notable roles in classics such as “Aladdin,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” He left behind three children: Zelda, Zachary “Zak” Williams, and Cody Alan Williams, from his marriage to Marsha Garces. The continued conversation around AI’s role in recreating the legacies of deceased actors reflects broader concerns about respect, consent, and the ethical implications of technology in art.