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Will Smith’s attempt to revive his rap career has been clouded by accusations that he used AI-generated audiences in promotional footage, sparking a fresh wave of criticism.
Hollywood star and rapper Will Smith, 56, is under renewed scrutiny after fans accused him of using artificial intelligence to simulate cheering crowds during his music comeback campaign.
Videos uploaded to Smith’s official YouTube channel this month showed packed venues with fans chanting his name and waving signs in unison. But eagle-eyed viewers noticed unusual glitches, robotic movements, and repeated animations that suggested the crowds may have been digitally generated rather than real.
“Imagine being this rich and famous and having to use AI footage of crowds and bot comments on your video,” one commenter wrote. Another added: *“Ok, this guy definitely has a humiliation fetish. No other explanation for releasing a crowd of AI abominations holding up misspelled signs.”*
A Critical Moment in Smith’s Career
The controversy comes at a sensitive stage for Smith, who rose to fame in the 1980s as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, winning a Grammy with hits like *“Parents Just Don’t Understand”* and *“Summertime.”* His crossover success later included solo hits such as *“Miami”* and *“Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,”* before his acting career propelled him into global superstardom.
However, Smith’s music output slowed significantly in the past decade as his film career took center stage. His latest musical push appears to be part of a larger effort to reshape his public image following the fallout from the 2022 Oscars, where he infamously slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage. The incident led to a 10-year Academy Awards ban and damaged his once-polished reputation.
Despite his return to Hollywood with *Bad Boys: Ride or Die*, the backlash from that night continues to follow him, and his comeback in rap seems designed to reconnect with longtime fans. Yet, the alleged AI-generated footage risks painting him as inauthentic, potentially weakening the very image he is trying to rebuild.
Authenticity Questioned
For critics, the use of synthetic audiences suggests Smith may lack confidence in his ability to fill venues organically. In an era when authenticity is prized, the decision to promote music with what appears to be AI-generated support could do more harm than good.
Smith is currently touring in the United Kingdom, but online debate over his promotional tactics has cast a shadow over what was intended to be his return to the music spotlight.
