Mark Wahlberg has expressed a willingness to see an AI likeness of himself used in future films, provided the technology is applied responsibly. His comments highlight a broader debate about the role of AI in creative production.
Mark Wahlberg AI likeness comments
During a recent TechCrunch Disrupt event, Wahlberg explained that he believes AI can be a useful tool when it enhances the visual aspects of a movie rather than replacing real actors. He noted that the technology could help create elaborate settings, such as stadiums, and that it should not be used to produce scripts that are then filmed without human performers. The actor emphasised that storytelling remains central to filmmaking, and that he prefers projects that combine narrative depth with technical innovation.
UK digital replica protections
The UK government’s March 2026 report distinguishes copyright in a recording or photograph from rights over the identity of the person depicted. It says UK law does not provide a general personal image right and describes a patchwork of protections that can apply in particular circumstances. The report proposes exploring further protection for digital replicas; that proposal should not be described as a new law already in force.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-and-impact-assessment-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence/report-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence
What the evidence does and does not establish
Wahlberg’s interview expresses an attitude to potential uses of AI. It does not establish that an AI clone has been deployed in a UK film or that a particular use would be lawful. The government report explains why digital replicas raise questions beyond copyright in an existing work. For readers assessing a production, the practical distinction is between an actor’s stated willingness, the rights in material used, and the legal position of a specific proposed use.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/16/mark-wahlberg-on-using-ai-in-film-the-right-way-and-being-open-to-an-ai-clone-carrying-on-his-legacy/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-and-impact-assessment-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence/report-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence
Sources and further reading
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/16/mark-wahlberg-on-using-ai-in-film-the-right-way-and-being-open-to-an-ai-clone-carrying-on-his-legacy/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-and-impact-assessment-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence/report-on-copyright-and-artificial-intelligence