Robin Williams' Children Revive Instagram to Combat AI Deepfakes

The children of the late actor Robin Williams have revived his long-dormant Instagram account, announcing their intention to transform it into an authenticated archive of his work to combat the unauthorized use of his likeness by artificial intelligence. Zak, Zelda, and Cody Williams posted a joint statement on the account on Monday, August 17, 2026, marking the first update since the comedian’s death in 2014.

The move comes nearly a month after Williams would have celebrated his 75th birthday on July 21. In their statement, his children expressed gratitude that new and longtime fans continue to find joy in his work. "As technology evolves, we want this to be a safe, trusted place where the stories, photos, videos, and memories shared reflect his legacy with authenticity, warmth, and care," they wrote. "This is our way of sharing his unique talent and humor with the world."

The decision was explicitly linked to the proliferation of AI-generated deepfake videos. In a personal Instagram story, Zelda Williams elaborated that creating a verified space for authentic content is "one of the best ways we've now found to fight back against rampant AI abuse of his voice and likeness." She...