IAMDDB on Israel Sharing AI Video Using Her Image Without Consent: ‘I Stand for Humanity’

Angolan-Portuguese artist IAMDDB has publicly denounced the unauthorized use of her likeness in an AI-generated video that was shared by the Israeli government on social media. The video, which appeared to depict an AI version of the singer rapping a politically charged song, was posted without her permission and later removed amid growing backlash.

The controversial clip featured lyrics asserting Israeli indigeneity to Palestinian territories, a sensitive and divisive claim within the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. The song, titled “Jews From Judea (We Did),” includes references to historical Jewish migration and identity, making its dissemination by an official government account particularly significant.

This incident highlights broader concerns about the exploitation of Black artists, especially women, in the era of artificial intelligence. IAMDDB expressed deep unease over how AI technology permits the replication and manipulation of artists’ images and voices without their consent, threatening creative autonomy and the safeguarding of cultural identity.

The initial emergence of the video was spotlighted by broadcaster and activist Rafael Shimunov, who pointed out that the AI-generated rapper bore a striking resemblance to IAMDDB, a prominent musician based in the United Kingdom with roots in Angola and Portugal. Shimunov criticized the use of her likeness to endorse a narrative about Israeli indigenous claims, noting the incongruity of employing a non-Israeli artist’s image in such a context.

IAMDDB responded on social media by sharing the original government post and questioning why her identity was appropriated for a cause she did not support. Following the removal of the video, Shimunov further commented on the irony of Israel’s use of a “stolen” identity to justify contested territorial claims.

Investigation into the video’s origin revealed that it was created by Eyal Ben Moshe, an Israeli-born artist residing in New Jersey, who has produced several AI-generated videos featuring a fictional rapper named “Nova.” Moshe confirmed that while the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reached out to him for permission to post the song, he was not compensated and had no prior relationship with the government. He described the project as non-commercial and part of his broader experimental work with AI video generation.

Moshe also stated he was unaware of IAMDDB’s existence and that the AI model he employed was based on a general prompt for a “Latina rapper,” selecting from multiple AI-generated images without intentionally copying any individual. He emphasized that there was no deliberate effort to appropriate IAMDDB’s identity.

The Israeli government has not issued a public comment regarding the controversy. However, the incident has sparked renewed discussion about the ethical implications of AI in creative industries and the risks of unauthorized use of artists’ likenesses in politically sensitive content.

IAMDDB has taken a firm stance against the appropriation of her image for political propaganda and reiterated her commitment to humanitarian values. She condemned violence and injustices against civilians, particularly highlighting the plight of Palestinians amid ongoing conflict. Though she has performed in Israel previously, she acknowledged that her perspective has evolved and that she would have made different decisions had she been aware of the current realities.

In response to this experience, IAMDDB plans to direct proceeds from forthcoming performances to charities supporting causes aligned with her values. She views this as an opportunity to transform a troubling incident into a positive contribution.

This episode underscores the urgent need for clearer regulations and protections concerning AI-generated content, especially as it intersects with artists’ rights and geopolitical narratives. As AI technology advances, balancing creative freedom with ethical responsibility remains a critical challenge for the music community and beyond.