EastEnders star Jake Wood has issued an apology regarding the claims he uses AI in his art.
The actor, who plays Max Branning in the BBC One soap, recently unveiled an exhibition called Icons at the Indelible Fine Art Gallery, in Jew Street, Brighton.
A number of people began to claim that Jake used artificial intelligence to assist in creating the pieces, which feature well-known faces including David Attenborough and Dame Barbara Windsor.
Jake, who is 53, has now taken to Instagram to issue a statement regarding the comments,
He wrote: ‘I think it’s important to address some of the discussion surrounding my exhibition currently on display at Indelible Fine Art Gallery. Whilst I acknowledge that two of the images featured in the exhibition, Attenborough and Trump, incorporated AI-generated source imagery, these images were not personally generated by me and already existed prior to being used within the works.
‘These particular pieces were created in 2024 and were not originally intended for inclusion in this exhibition. Since then I have not used AI within my artworks and do not intend to moving forward. I understand the concerns and wider debate around AI in art, and I respect the opinions being expressed.
Jake added: ‘As a relatively new artist, this period has been part of my own creative development in discovering both a style and a process that I am happy with. Inevitably, that journey involves learning, evolving and making mistakes along the way. I would like to apologise to the gallery for any negative commentary directed towards them.
‘Indelible Fine Art are a brilliant small independent gallery in Brighton that supported me and the exhibition in good faith, with the shared intention of creating fun whilst also raising awareness of dementia and money for Dementia UK.
He concluded: ‘I am really sad that the conversation around the exhibition has shifted in this direction and may have taken attention away from the cause and the wider intentions behind the show.
‘Raising awareness of dementia and supporting Dementia UK remain incredibly important to me and, following the recent discussion 100% of my profits from the exhibition will be donated to the charity.’
The statement was shared to Jake’s Instagram page dedicated to his art. Within the comments, the actor used his personal account to write: ‘As I have said as a new artist I have made mistakes.
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‘Important thing is to learn from them. Intention was always to raise awareness and money for @dementia_uk’.
Jake has played the role of Max Branning in EastEnders on and off since 2006. He returned to Walford in September 2025, ahead of a massive year for the Branning family.
At the start of 2026, Max was in the spotlight for a flashforward episode, which teased a great deal of drama unfolding for the character on his wedding day – in 2027.
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