Will Smith Accused of Using AI to Make Tour Crowds Look Bigger
Will Smith, the famous actor and rapper, has found himself at the center of a heated debate after he posted a video on his official YouTube channel that many believe is full of artificially generated footage. The video, titled “My favourite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too.”, was intended to promote his current Based on a True Story tour, but instead sparked a wave of criticism. Fans and viewers noticed strange details suggesting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in footage of a crowd full of enthusiastic supporters. The clip, posted ahead of his UK concerts, quickly went viral, but probably not in the way Smith had hoped.
Tour Launch and a Strange Video
The Based on a True Story tour kicked off in the UK on Sunday, August 24, in Scarborough, where Smith is promoting his new album of the same name—his first in two decades. The YouTube video was meant to show the emotions of fans crying, waving homemade signs, and showing tremendous support. However, attentive viewers quickly spotted inconsistencies: some people's faces look blurred or distorted, hands have strange shapes, and in one shot, a person even has six fingers. Another scene shows a man whose knuckle blurs together with a sign that reads: “‘You Can Make It’ helped me survive cancer. THX Will.” In front of him stands a woman who appears to be holding his hand, but the headband of the woman behind her somehow overlaps her wrist. These details, seemingly straight out of a horror movie, led to accusations that the footage was not real but created by AI.
According to other online reports, including articles by CNET and Futurism, similar distortions appear in other parts of the video—for example, duplicated limbs or unnatural facial expressions. These elements are typical flaws in AI-generated content, which attempts to imitate reality but fails in the details. Smith's tour continues—Scarborough was followed by a concert in Cardiff on August 25, then shows in Manchester, London, and Wolverhampton. The album Based on a True Story received mixed reviews from critics; for example, The Independent described it as “solid rap,” but with “half-hearted, trite” lyrics full of generic phrases about failure and redemption.
Fan Reactions: From Disappointment to Ridicule
The comments under the YouTube video quickly filled with criticism. One viewer wrote: “Imagine being so rich and famous and having to use AI footage of crowds... Tragic, man.” Another explained in detail: “Not only is it an abomination because low-quality phone footage was enhanced by AI, but there are clearly AI-generated sections between scenes,” and provided exact timestamps where the inconsistencies appear. Someone else noted: “I don't want to be that guy, but you can see lots of people in the crowd with six fingers or more, blurred eyes, distorted faces. That proves that certain clips (well, almost all the clips featuring the audience) are AI-generated.”
Another comment read: “Hey Will, these PR stunts aren't getting you anywhere. What kind of sheep do you think we are, bro? You can't be this ignorant, come on, it's embarrassing.” Reports from other sources, such as Fortune, confirm that the controversy is distracting from Smith's musical comeback, with speculation that AI was used because of lower-than-expected ticket demand or smaller concert crowds. Fans asked why Smith did not use real camera operators instead of “degenerative slop,” as one person called it. The Independent contacted Smith's representatives for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
AI in Music
AI is a hot topic in the music industry—many artists are calling for better protection of their work, while others face criticism for using it. For example, in early August, English rocker Rod Stewart was accused of creating a “disrespectful” tribute to the late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at the age of 76. During a show in Georgia, Stewart dedicated the song “Forever Young” to Osbourne, while AI-generated footage played on a large screen showing Osbourne taking photos with deceased stars such as Tina Turner, Prince, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and Kurt Cobain. This case shows how AI can stir emotions, but often provoke negative reactions as well.
In Will Smith's case, the controversy comes as he tries to return to the music scene after a long hiatus. The video remains on YouTube and continues to attract attention, with some speculating that it may have been an attempt to improve the tour's image. Whatever the truth may be, this controversy shows how quickly technologies such as AI can backfire on their creators, especially when fans expect authenticity. If you are planning to attend a Smith concert, perhaps take a look at the real crowd—it should be free of extra fingers.
