Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Bernice King, calls AI image with Sexyy Red 'dishonoring
Photo: Reuters/AFP
Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., has publicly denounced an AI-generated image showing her father alongside rapper Sexyy Red.
In her statement, King described the image as "intentionally distasteful, dishonoring, deplorable, and disrespectful" to her family and her late father, who was assassinated for fighting for civil and human rights.
This is intentionally distasteful, dishonoring, deplorable, and disrespectful to my family and my father, who is not here to respond himself because he was assassinated for working for your civil and human rights and to end war and poverty.
Please delete. https://t.co/g1S726qSMf— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 21, 2025
This controversy follows a previous incident in November 2024, when an AI-generated deepfake video falsely portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. endorsing former President Donald Trump. King labeled the deepfake as "vile, fake, irresponsible," and urged for its removal. These incidents highlight the growing concerns about the misuse of AI technology, particularly in the creation of misleading or offensive content involving historical figures.
The use of AI to generate content involving influential figures like MLK raises questions about ethical standards and the need for greater responsibility when creating or sharing such materials. In response to these events, Bernice King has consistently emphasized the importance of preserving her father's legacy and ensuring that his contributions to the civil rights movement are respected.
Her responses reflect a broader movement to protect the legacies of historical leaders from the growing reach of AI-generated media, which can be manipulated to distort the truth and undermine their achievements.