Hundreds of Hollywood stars, musicians, and authors, including Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, REM, and Jodi Picoult, have backed a new campaign accusing AI companies of “theft” of their work. The “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” drive launched on Thursday with support from approximately 800 creative professionals and bands.
The campaign includes a statement accusing tech firms of using American creators’ work to “build AI platforms without authorisation or regard for copyright law”. It adds: “Artists, writers, and creators of all kinds are banding together with a simple message: Stealing our work is not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s theft – plain and simple.”
The statement urges AI companies to pursue licensing deals and partnerships with the creative industries, acknowledging firms that have taken that route. OpenAI, developer of ChatGPT, has signed deals with Disney and the Guardian, while Warner Music Group has struck a licensing deal with AI music generator Suno.
Copyright remains a contentious issue within AI, as models like ChatGPT rely on vast amounts of data from the open web. Creative professionals argue that tech firms should seek permission and pay for use of their material. OpenAI and other AI firms have argued that using material available online is “fair use”, a US legal doctrine. Dozens of lawsuits have been launched in the US over the issue.
Johansson was involved in the AI debate in 2024 after OpenAI’s voice assistant used her vocal likeness, prompting her to say she was “shocked, angered and in disbelief”. OpenAI subsequently removed the voice from ChatGPT. Other signatories include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Vince Gilligan, and Cyndi Lauper. The campaign is organised by the Human Artistry Campaign, backed by the Writers Guild of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA.
