Berkshire Hathaway released a formal warning on November 7, 2025, titled “It’s Not Me,” to alert shareholders and the public that artificial‑intelligence‑generated videos and images are being used to impersonate Warren Buffett. The company emphasized that the deepfakes are not endorsed by Berkshire and that it is monitoring the situation closely, pledging to take further action if necessary.
The warning comes at a time when Buffett, 95, is preparing to step down as CEO at the end of the year, with Greg Abel slated to succeed him in January 2026. Buffett has previously cautioned about fraudulent claims, most notably in October 2024 when he warned that some videos were falsely presenting him as endorsing political candidates and investment products. The current deepfake threat is described by Buffett as a “spreading virus,” underscoring the rapid and pervasive nature of AI‑driven misinformation.
Berkshire’s statement stresses that the deepfakes could mislead investors and damage the firm’s brand reputation. By issuing the warning, the company is taking a proactive brand‑protection stance, aiming to shield stakeholders from potential misinformation. The warning also signals Berkshire’s broader cautious approach to AI: while the company holds significant investments in AI‑heavy firms such as Apple and Amazon, it prefers a “wait‑and‑see” strategy, investing only when clear opportunities emerge.
The issue is part of a wider societal concern highlighted by the FBI’s report on AI‑generated voice calls and text messages used to impersonate officials, and by YouTube’s announcement of upcoming deepfake‑detection technology. These developments reinforce the urgency of Berkshire’s warning and the need for robust safeguards against AI‑based fraud.
Berkshire Hathaway will issue another press release on November 10, 2025, containing a message from Buffett that will address philanthropy and company matters. The company’s ongoing monitoring and planned communications demonstrate its commitment to transparency and risk management in the face of evolving AI threats.
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