Reese Witherspoon has clarified her stance on artificial intelligence after her post declaring that the “AI revolution has begun” copped mass backlash on social media.
The actress took to Instagram last week to urge people, particularly women, to “learn as much as [you] can” about the technology and its applications or risk being “left behind”.
“The jobs women hold are three times more likely to be automated by AI, yet women are using AI at a rate 25 per cent lower than men on average,” Witherspoon said.
The post attracted criticism as followers warned Witherspoon of the ecological problems associated with AI data centres, the blurred lines around intellectual property and the risk of total automation, with some accusing Witherspoon of being paid to promote the technology.
“We want to stop it from happening,” one criitc wrote on X. “What is wrong with everyone just being all defeatist?”
In a follow-up post on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Witherspoon wrote, “I guess my Al post got people talking.”
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“To be clear, no one is paying me to talk about this. I’m just a curious human. My kids are learning about Al tools, I know a lot of founders who are vibe coding, and I hear about people using Al in every sector of business,” she added.
The Morning Show star went on to “acknowledge” people’s “valid” concerns about AI.
“I’m aware of the impact this could have on jobs across so many industries. I understand environmental concerns. I care deeply about local communities,” Witherspoon wrote.
“I don’t believe computers should replace humanity. I’m planning on learning as much as possible so that I’m educated about this technological revolution,” she added.
Witherspoon’s original post followed on from previous comments she made about AI, telling Glamour Magazine that “you can lament it all you want, but change is here”.
AI has been a popular topic of debate in Hollywood in recent months with the debut of AI-generated performers like Tilly Norwood, becoming the centre of of reckoning in the industry as major companies execute mass lay-offs to make way for the incoming tidal wave
Last week, Sandra Bullock said we should use AI in a “really constructive and creative way” but also “be incredibly cautious and aware of it”.
Lead images: Getty Images and Instagram
