“CHiPs” star Erik Estrada shared warnings about how artificial intelligence can “destroy lives.”
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 often used for nefarious purposes.
“I think like the internet, like cell phones, like everything – they need to use the positive side of it,” Estrada said. “The side that can help or use and create goodwill, good things, good jobs, good luck for people who want to go that way and not, of course, use bad things.”
“CHIPs” star Erik Estrada warned of the dangers posed by AI. (Brian To/FilmMagic)
Estrada pointed out how AI can be used to create deepfakes – deceptive images, videos and audio that misrepresent people or events. While some deepfakes are harmless, the technology can be used to commit fraud and identity theft, spread propaganda, damage jobs and reputations, and manipulate elections.
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Celebrities are increasingly becoming targets of deepfake technology, as they are used to endorse or promote products they are not affiliated with. In addition, celebrities have found themselves victims of AI-generated pornography where their faces are superimposed on pornographic images or videos.
“Let’s say, for example, they want me to do it – they can make me allow horses, cows, or beef pies,” Estrada said. “That they’re good for you. They’re nutritious. Have a day. You know, they can do that. And that’s not right and that’s not right, and it’s not very, it’s not very Christian.”
“It’s just not a good thing,” he continued. “They hurt people. They can hurt people. They can destroy lives. They can compare me to a donkey and say, ‘Haha, Estrada is weird.’ You know what I mean? They can do anything with AI, but they have to use the good end of it.
Estrada, left, who starred on the ’70s show, said she has been targeted by deepfakes. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Estrada told Fox News Digital that there are some people he believes will use AI for good purposes, including tech mogul Elon Musk.
“I’m sure he will do it,” said the actor. “But some people will use it to their advantage.”
“Not very, not very Christian.”
In addition to his acting and acting career, Estrada was a police officer who later became a deputy sheriff in Virginia. He is also a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) federal task force, where he works undercover to arrest child sex offenders.
Estrada works as an undercover law enforcement agent to arrest child molesters. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Estrada told Fox News Digital that she is also dealing with serious scammers after being personally targeted on social media.
“Right now I’m going after the heaviest people with the feds,” he said. “We are following people who are defrauding people using my name and my picture on Facebook, I am not even on Facebook.”
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“They will go down, but it will take time and effort because they are doing wrong,” added Estrada. “They trick people into saying they’re Erik Estrada and they talk to them, and then, boom, it’s like the Internet training kids to find them. AI can have a great and good idea, but people will – bad people will always take advantage of it.”
Along with fighting crime as a law enforcement officer, Estrada also strives to help others through his entertainment career.
WATCH: ‘CHIPS’ STAR ERIK ESTRADA SAYS SOME PEOPLE USING AI ARE ‘TOO CHRISTIAN’
In 2023, Estrada began hosting faith-based home improvement original series “Divine Fix.” According to Divine Renovation producers at Heartlight Entertainment, the docuseries “takes the runaway success of home improvement shows and adds a spiritual dimension.”
The show follows Estrada as she works with non-profit organizations, houses of worship, local businesses and neighbors to make home improvements for families in need.
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Estrada recalled that “Divine Renovation” executive producer Monty Hobbs contacted him about hosting the series after the actor starred in a series of faith-based movies, including 2013’s “Finding Faith” and “Virtuous ” of 2014. and 2015’s “Normal.”
The actress is hosting the second season of the faith-based home improvement show “Divine Renovation.” (Make Good Fun)
He says, ‘I want to create a concept where we don’t beat people over the Bible, but it’s a show of doing good, a fun kind of program, working with the community, helping people in all walks of life,'” Estrada recalls 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: ‘CHIPS’ STAR ERIK ESTRADA ON SECOND SEASON OF HIS FAITH-BASED HOME DEVELOPMENT SHOW ‘GOD’S REPAIR’
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“Divine Renovation’s” second season, which Estrada described as “really emotional,” was shot in Torrington, Connecticut.
“It’s a great season,” he told Fox News Digital. “We found half of these dogs that are there service dogs for people with PTSD. It’s an incredible, amazing part.”
“The Bold and the Beautiful” alum said the rest of the show was filmed at the FISH (Friends In Service To Humanity of Northwestern Connecticut) shelter.
“We are giving them a new floor and other repairs, repairs to the big house they have,” he said. “Then we put up a pole because they recently received funding to be able to bring veterans and put them in homes and feed them.
“So, we gave the veterans a pole to do their flag ceremonies. And the Mayor comes out, and everything is amazing. And then we do something with the police officer and his family because he has a son with a son. A big disability.
“We fixed it where we put a track from his bedroom to the bathroom so it just flies him to the bathroom. We made the bathroom bigger. We gave them a removable aluminum ramp outside so it’s easier, they don’t have to walk down,” he added.
“So, it’s a lot of this and a lot of that. And it’s good.”
The second season of “High Fix” is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi and other streaming platforms. (Make Good Fun)
While speaking with Fox News Digital, Estrada reflected on how she leaned on her Christian faith to overcome adversity in her life.
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The actor explained that he finds comfort and guidance by communicating with God through prayer.
“I’m sorry for the mistakes I’ve made and the decisions I’ve made and I’m asking, ‘Hey, please forgive me. I’m going to try not to do that again, and I’m going to try to make amends. But help me. use your help right now. It’s wearing on me emotionally and mentally and it’s causing me to lose sleep,'” Estrada said.
“And I find that talking to yourself, talking to your inner guide, to your inner self, is God anyway,” he said.
“So, it helps.”
The second season of “Divine Renovation” is available to stream now on Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi and other streaming platforms.
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