Hollywood's Elite Backs AI 'Theft' Campaign
Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and a host of other renowned Hollywood stars, musicians, and authors have joined forces to launch a powerful campaign against AI companies. The movement, named "Stealing Isn’t Innovation," accuses AI firms of appropriating the work of American creators without permission or regard for copyright law. This initiative has garnered the support of approximately 800 creative professionals and bands, united under a simple yet powerful message: Stealing our work is not innovation; it's theft.
The campaign's statement emphasizes the ethical and legal implications of AI's reliance on copyrighted material. It highlights the need for AI companies to establish licensing deals and partnerships with the creative industries, acknowledging those who have already taken this route. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has signed deals with content owners like Disney and the Guardian, while Warner Music Group has partnered with AI music generator Suno after a lawsuit.
However, the use of copyrighted material in AI models remains a contentious issue. AI chatbots and image generators rely on vast amounts of data from the open web, raising concerns about permission and compensation for creators. Creative professionals argue that tech firms should seek their permission and provide fair compensation for using their work.
OpenAI and other AI companies defend their practices under the "fair use" doctrine, a US legal principle allowing the use of copyrighted material without permission in specific circumstances. As of last year, dozens of lawsuits had been filed in the US over AI and copyright issues. Johansson's vocal likeness being used by OpenAI's voice assistant sparked controversy, leading to her expressing shock and anger. The incident resulted in OpenAI removing the voice from ChatGPT.
The "Stealing Isn’t Innovation" campaign is organized by the Human Artistry Campaign, supported by industry giants like the Writers Guild of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and the actors' union SAG-AFTRA, which recently went on strike over AI concerns.
In the UK, the government faces criticism for its proposal allowing AI firms to use copyrighted work without artist permission unless they opt out. The technology secretary, Liz Kendall, announced a review of these plans, aiming for a "reset" in March.
