CHiPs star Eric Estrada has issued a warning about how artificial intelligence could “destroy life.”
In an interview with Fox News Digital, the 75-year-old actor and host of “Divine Renovation” acknowledged the benefits of AI, but warned that the new technology is also frequently used for nefarious purposes. .
“I think like with the internet, cell phones and everything else, you just have to take advantage of the positive aspects of it,” Estrada said. “I am the one who can help, employ, and create goodwill, good things, good jobs, and good fortune for people who want to move in that direction, and of course I don’t use negativity.”
CHiPs star Eric Estrada has warned of the dangers posed by AI. (Brian Tow/FilmMagic)
Estrada pointed out how AI can be used to create deepfakes – deceptive photos, videos, and audio that disguise a person or event. While some deepfakes are harmless, the technology can be used to commit fraud and identity theft, spread propaganda, damage careers and reputations, and manipulate elections.
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Celebrities are increasingly being targeted by deepfake technology, with their likenesses being used to endorse or promote unrelated products. Additionally, celebrities have found themselves the victims of AI-generated pornography, where their faces are superimposed onto explicit photos and videos.
“Let’s say they want me to do that. They can have me endorse horses or cows or cow pies,” Estrada said. “It’s healthy. It’s nutritious. Eat one a day. You know, they can do that. And that’s wrong, this isn’t right. And That’s not very, very Christian.”
“That’s never a good thing,” he continued. “They hurt people. They can hurt people. They can destroy lives. They might line me up with a donkey and say, ‘Haha, Estrada is weird.’ Do you know what I mean? They can do anything with AI, but they should only take advantage of its positive aspects. But they don’t. ”
Estrada (left), who appeared on the hit 70s show, said she has been the target of deepfakes. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal, Getty Images, Getty Images)
Estrada told Fox News Digital that there are several people who believe in using AI for good, including tech mogul Elon Musk.
“I’m sure he will,” the actor said. “But some people use that to their advantage.”
“That’s not very Christian.”
In addition to his career as an actor and host, Estrada is a former police officer and later a Virginia sheriff’s deputy. He is also a member of the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) federal task force, which works undercover to arrest child sex offenders.
Estrada works as an undercover agent to arrest child sex offenders. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Estrada told Fox News Digital that he is also dealing with deepfake scammers after being personally targeted on social media.
“I’m currently pursuing some very serious individuals with federal authorities,” he said. “We’re going after some people on Facebook who are using my name and likeness to scam people, and I’m not even on Facebook.”
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“They’re going to decline, but it’s going to take time and effort because they’re doing the wrong thing,” Estrada added. “They’re fooling people and chatting with them by saying they’re Eric Estrada, but it’s like grooming children on the internet. When AI is positive and good. But so do humans. The bad guys always take advantage of the bad guys.
While Estrada fights crime as a law enforcement officer, he also strives to help others through his career in the entertainment industry.
WATCH: ‘Chips’ star Eric Estrada talks about how certain people who use AI are ‘very un-Christian’
In 2023, Estrada began hosting the faith-based home improvement reality series “Divine Renovation.” According to producers of Divine Renovation at Heartlight Entertainment, the documentary is “a continuation of the highly successful home improvement show and adds a spiritual element.”
The show follows Estrada as he works with nonprofit organizations, places of worship, local businesses, and neighbors to make home improvements for families in need.
In an interview with FOX News Digital, Estrada said that after appearing in a string of faith-based films, including 2013’s “Finding Faith” and 2014’s “Virtual,” Estrada decided to work on “Divine Renovation.” He recalled that he was contacted by executive producer Monty Hobbs about hosting the series. and “Uncommon” in 2015.
The actor is hosting the second season of the faith-based home improvement show Divine Renovation. (Do Good Entertainment)
“He says, ‘Instead of hitting people over the head with the Bible, I want to do a concept that is a show that works with the community and helps people and does good and makes you feel good. All kinds of things. Class people,” Estrada recalled of his conversation with Hobbs.
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The first season of “Divine Renovation” was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina and premiered on Prime Video, Google Play, and iTunes in July 2023.
WATCH: Watch the second season of ‘Chips’ star Eric Estrada’s faith-based home improvement show ‘Sacred Renovations’
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The second season of Divine Renovations, which Estrada described as “really heartwarming,” was filmed in Torrington, Connecticut.
“It’s been a great, great season,” he told FOX News Digital. “We got a segment on these dogs that are service dogs for people with PTSD. It’s an incredible, incredible segment.”
The Bold and the Beautiful alum said another portion of the show was filmed at the FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) shelter in northwestern Connecticut.
“We provide them with new floors and other adjustments and renovations to the large homes they own,” he said. “And we put up a flagpole there because they just got a grant to bring in veterans and house them and feed them.
“So we gave the veterans poles so they could do the flag ceremony, and the mayor came out and everything was great. We did something together. He has a seriously disabled son.
“We fixed it by just setting up a truck from his bedroom to the bathroom and airlifting him into the bathroom. We made the bathroom bigger. We moved it outside so they could be convenient. “We gave them a removable aluminum ramp so they didn’t have to go downstairs,” he added.
“So there’s a lot of this and a lot of that. And that’s great.”
The second season of “Divine Renovation” is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi, and other streaming platforms. (Do Good Entertainment)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Estrada reflected on how he relies on his Christian faith to overcome challenges in his life.
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The actor explained that connecting with God through prayer provides comfort and guidance.
“I apologized for the mistakes I made and the choices I made and said, ‘Please forgive me. I’ll try not to do it again and I’ll try to make it right. But please help me. I can do it.’ I said, ‘I need your help right now. I’m emotionally and mentally exhausted and I can’t sleep.’
“And I found that what I was talking to myself, speaking to my inner guide, my inner self, was just God,” he said.
“So, that’s helpful.”
The second season of “Divine Renovation” is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi, and other streaming platforms.
