Hollywood Stars Launch Campaign Against AI Training on Copyrighted Works
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A coalition of prominent actors, musicians, and writers are publicly condemning tech companies for utilizing copyrighted material to train generative AI tools without permission or compensation.
A powerful wave of protest is building in Hollywood as a new campaign, “Stealing Isn’t Innovation,” officially launched on thursday.Backed by over 700 industry figures, including Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the alleged unauthorized use of creative works in the development of artificial intelligence.The campaign’s debut was marked by a full-page ad in publications like the Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
“Big Tech is trying to change the law so they can keep stealing American artistry to build their AI businesses – without authorization and without paying the people who did the work,” a statement from the campaign proclaims. “That is wrong; it’s un-American, and it’s theft on a grand scale.”
A Broad Coalition of Creative Voices
The campaign’s support extends far beyond the A-list. Industry figures such as David Lowery, Fran Drescher, Jennifer Hudson, and Kristen Bell have also lent their names to the cause. The musical community is strongly represented, with endorsements from Cyndi Lauper, LeAnn Rimes, MGMT, R.E.M., and Questlove, among others. Literary giants including George Saunders,Jodi Picoult,and Roxane Gay are also backing the effort.
The Human Artistry campaign itself is a diverse alliance, comprised of unions like the Writers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, and the Recording Industry association of America, alongside artists’ rights groups and trade associations like The NewsGuild and even the NFL Players Association.
Seeking Licensing and Opt-Out Options
The institution is advocating for two key solutions: the implementation of licensing agreements for the use of copyrighted works in AI training, and the establishment of a clear “opt-out” mechanism allowing creators to prevent their work from being used.
“Real innovation comes from the human motivation to change our lives,” explained Dr. moiya McTier, a senior advisor to the Human Artistry Campaign, in a released statement. “But AI companies are endangering artists’ careers while exploiting their practiced craft, using human art and other creative works without authorization to amass billions in corporate earnings.” Dr. McTier further emphasized that “America wins when technology companies and creators collaborate to make the highest quality consumer and enterprise digital products and tools.”
Disney’s deal with OpenAI and Subsequent Concerns
While the campaign gains momentum, some companies are beginning to explore sanctioned licensing. In December, Disney announced a three-year partnership with OpenAI to integrate its iconic characters into the video-generation tool Sora. However, the AI company sparked controversy earlier when Sora 2.0 generated images featuring characters from popular franchises like Bob’s Burgers, Pokémon, Grand Theft Auto, and SpongeBob Squarepants.
Initially, OpenAI suggested rights holders could request exclusion from the video generator, but the company later retracted that position. This reversal underscores the complex and evolving legal landscape surrounding AI and copyright.
The “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” campaign represents a significant challenge to the current practices of the tech industry, signaling a growing determination among creators to protect their rights in the age of artificial intelligence.
