Robin Williams Back From the Dead? AI Slop Takes Over the Algorithm

From AI-generated stand-up routines by Robin Williams to fake livestreams of Kobe Bryant, social media is being flooded with so-called “AI slop” — endless streams of computer-made videos that imitate art but often exploit real people.Robin Williams’ daughter, Zelda, has called it “the Human Centipede of content”, condemning the use of her late father’s likeness in these creations. But who’s actually behind this wave of synthetic media, and who stands to benefit from it?In today’s episode, Ciara speaks with Dr Andrew Hines, Director of Graduate Research at the School of Computer Science at UCD and an investigator at the Science Foundation Ireland Insight Centre for Data Analytics and the ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology. They discuss the rise of AI-generated media, the ethics of deepfakes, and whether this technology risks eroding creativity and trust online.As tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 spread across social platforms, is AI-powered content the next step in digital entertainment or a warning sign for how far we’ll go to automate creativity?Have thoughts on the episode or ideas for future topics? Email us at [email protected].