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Artificial Intelligence, Image, and Likeness Protection Clause for Speakers & Presenters

Message from: Mari Smith

Clause created by Mitch Jackson, attorney

Date: October 27, 2025

Greetings Fellow Speakers!

I posted a message about this topic on Facebook and I’ve been blown away by your responses! So, to help more fellow speakers, I put together this doc for you. You’re welcome to share freely and to make your own copy of this doc, if you wish.  

The “No AI-Manipulation Clause for Speaker Contracts” set out below this introductory message is from my longtime lawyer friend, Mitch Jackson, shared with his permission.

Make sure you tailor the wording of the clause to your own needs, of course.

And, it may be that the wording also needs tailoring for each individual contract/event.

Even so, whether you tailor or not, this generic version works for most use cases.

Many event hosts/organizers are not even thinking anything is wrong by “amplifying their efforts” with AI.

But when it comes to outright image, video and voice AI fakery based on your likeness, I personally find this an absolute outrage and am on a mission to prevent this completely unprofessional and disrespectful behavior!!  

What this speaker contract clause does is bring the matter to the attention of the event host/organizer and remind them to check with you, the speaker/presenter, first!

If you approve of any AI edits, that’s fine, right? But unapproved alterations of your likeness through AI or otherwise, has to be stopped. Things are getting out of hand out there. I’m seeing some horror stories; friends of mine having videos altered and words put into their mouths to make interviews ‘more sensational and click-worthy.’ UGH! 🤦🏼‍♀️

As a public speaker for over 25 years, and someone who believes vehemently in protecting our unique personal brand, voice and likeness, I’m on a mission to educate more people that it’s not okay to use AI to alter likeness without permission and especially not to put words in people’s mouths. Just because we ‘can,’ doesn’t mean we should. Let’s at least preserve integrity, morals, and authenticity!

I trust this is helpful to you! ☺️🙏🏻

If you have any questions, you’re welcome to reach out to me anytime.

And, you can learn more about Mitch Jackson here:

Warmly,

Mari Smith


CEO, Mari Smith International, Inc.
Premier Facebook Marketing Expert
Social Media Thought Leader

Author, The New Relationship Marketing

IHDS Certified Professional Human Design Analyst

IHDS Certified Living Your Design Guide

Content Authenticity Statement: 100% of the message above was written manually by me, Mari Smith, fingers on the keyboard. You're welcome to read my company's Generative AI Policy. As inspired by our friends at the Marketing AI Institute  with their Creative Commons Responsible AI Manifesto for Marketing and Business.

Lawyer Mitch Jackson’s message follows:

Here’s our template clause (long and short versions) that can be added to a speaker agreement. We tailor it for each client and situation. Hope it’s helpful. -Mitch

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Long Version

Artificial Intelligence, Image, and Likeness Protection Clause

The Presenter’s name, image, likeness, voice, performance, appearance, mannerisms, gestures, biographical information, and all other personal attributes (“Presenter’s Identity”) are and shall remain the sole property of the Presenter. The Host, Organizer, or any affiliated person or entity (“Organizer”) shall not, without the Presenter’s prior express written consent, in any form or by any means, whether now known or later developed, use, reproduce, simulate, alter, or otherwise exploit any part of the Presenter’s Identity through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, generative models, voice cloning, deepfake technology, or any related or derivative process (“AI Technologies”).

This prohibition includes, without limitation, (a) creating, training, or deploying AI models using recordings, photographs, videos, or audio of the Presenter; (b) generating or reproducing synthetic or derivative versions of the Presenter’s likeness, image, or voice for any purpose; and (c) using any AI-generated content that represents, imitates, or reasonably could be understood to depict or express the Presenter.

No AI-generated or AI-modified version of the Presenter may be used, shared, distributed, posted, promoted, sold, or otherwise exploited in any manner, whether online, in digital or print media, or in any promotional, educational, advertising, or commercial context, without the Presenter’s prior express written permission in each instance.

This clause applies in all media and territories worldwide, and survives the termination or completion of this Agreement. Any unauthorized use of the Presenter’s Identity in violation of this clause shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and may subject the Organizer to injunctive relief, damages, and all other remedies available under law and equity.

Short Version

AI Use and Likeness Protection

Organizer may not use, reproduce, or simulate the Presenter’s name, image, likeness, voice, or performance with any form of artificial intelligence, machine learning, voice cloning, deepfake, or similar technology without the Presenter’s prior written consent.

This includes any AI-generated or altered photos, videos, audio, or promotional materials used online or offline, before or after the event.

All rights to the Presenter’s likeness and identity remain exclusively with the Presenter. Any unauthorized use will be considered a material breach and may result in legal action, including injunctive relief and damages.

Additional input from Mitch Jackson, lawyer

(As a comment made on 10.28.25 on Mari’s Facebook post)

“I hope everyone benefits from this approach to protecting your image and likeness rights from unauthorized AI related use.

Do keep in mind that also having venue, mediation, arbitration, attorney fees and force majeure (think natural disasters, covid...) clauses in your agreements allow you to be in control, take action and enforce violations.

Now, with the above in mind, it's always best to try and work things out amicably but what I've found is speakers who use well written contracts are the same speakers who are able to resolve unexpected disputes in their favor.

Finally, always check with a lawyer in your state or region to make sure your clauses and contracts comply with local state and federal laws.”

(emphasis added by Mari)