Val Kilmer’s Daughter Responds to Criticism of AI Performance, Says Late Dad Wanted to ‘Set Precedent; TODAY, April 29, 2026

  Scott Stump, TODAY; Val Kilmer’s Daughter Responds to Criticism of AI Performance, Says Late Dad Wanted to ‘Set Precedent’

"Val Kilmer’s daughter explained why her family supports an AI-generated version of the late actor appearing in an upcoming movie, which has sparked a fierce debate in a Hollywood industry on edge about AI taking jobs from actors.

Mercedes Kilmer, 34, spoke on TODAY April 29 about an AI-generated version of the late star of "Top Gun," "The Doors" and "Tombstone" appearing as Father Fintan, a priest and Native American spiritualist in the upcoming movie "As Deep as the Grave." 

She said her father "wanted to do this" out of a desire to create "structures for actors to own their licensing and to have rights.""

New Report Weighs Pros and Cons of AI; Publishers Weekly, April 30, 2026

Jim Milliot , Publishers Weekly; New Report Weighs Pros and Cons of AI

"A recent survey of 559 book publishing professionals in the U.S. and Canada reflects the current schism in the publishing industry about if and how AI can be effectively and ethically be used. 

The report, "AI Usage Across the North American Book Market, 2025," was sponsored by BISG and BookNet Canada and gathered responses from publishers, librarians and other industry professionals...

The primary concern for survey respondents around AI in the industry is inadequate controls around the use of copyrighted material, with 86% noting the issue."