Bollywood star Anil Kapoor has been named one of the Indians featured on Time magazine’s 2024 “Most Influential People in AI” list, which was released on 5th September. The list honours individuals who have made a significant impact on the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Kapoor was recognized for his legal battle against the unauthorized use of his likeness by AI. In 2023, he won a landmark case in which the Delhi High Court issued an order prohibiting 16 entities from using his name, voice, image, or other unique personal attributes without his consent. The court ruling was a response to Kapoor’s likeness and his famous catchphrase, “jhakaas,” being used without permission in various AI-generated films and emojis.
Time magazine highlighted the significance of Kapoor’s victory, stating, “Bollywood is one of the world’s largest film industries, producing over 1,500 films each year. Kapoor’s ruling comes at a time when the industry is grappling with how to regulate the misuse of AI.”
Kapoor expressed his satisfaction with the court order, saying, “I’m very happy with this ruling, which I believe is progressive and beneficial not only for me but for other actors as well. As AI technology continues to evolve and can be misused commercially in terms of my image, voice, morphing, GIFs, and deep fakes, I now have the legal means to immediately issue a court order and injunction to have such content taken down.”
Additionally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated the Emiratis featured on the list. Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who leads numerous institutions and global initiatives in AI, and Faisal Al Bannai, a key figure in the national AI sector, were both recognized for their contributions to shaping the future of AI on a global scale. Sheikh Mohammed praised them, stating, “The country is proud of you and has great confidence in your abilities. Your success will shape the future, and with you, the future of our generations is more promising.”
