Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett Back Campaign Accusing AI Firms of Theft

A new campaign titled "Stealing Isn’t Innovation" has been launched, drawing support from around 800 creative professionals including Hollywood actors Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett, musicians like REM, and authors such as Jodi Picoult. The campaign criticizes AI companies for using creative works without authorization, accusing them of "theft" rather than innovation. The statement from the campaign highlights that AI firms have been building platforms using American creators' content without regard for copyright laws, urging these companies to pursue licensing agreements and partnerships with the creative industries. Some AI developers have taken steps in this direction; for example, OpenAI has signed licensing deals with Disney and the Guardian, and Warner Music Group has partnered with AI music generator Suno. Despite these efforts, copyright remains a contentious issue because AI models, including chatbots like ChatGPT and image generators like Grok Imagine, rely on vast datasets scraped from the internet, often without explicit permission from original creators.

Creative professionals argue that their permission should be sought before their work is used in training AI, and that they deserve compensation if consent is granted. On the other hand, AI companies like OpenAI defend their practices by invoking the "fair use" doctrine in U.S. copyright law, which allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions. This legal gray area has led to numerous lawsuits in the U.S. concerning AI and copyright infringement. Scarlett Johansson herself became a notable figure in this debate in 2024 when OpenAI’s voice assistant used her vocal likeness without consent, prompting her to express shock and anger. OpenAI later removed the unauthorized voice from ChatGPT.

Other prominent supporters of the campaign include actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, and singer Cyndi Lauper. Vince Gilligan has previously described AI as "the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine," underscoring the creative community’s frustration. The campaign is organized by the Human Artistry Campaign, which counts major industry organizations among its backers, including the Writers Guild of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union that staged a strike in 2023 partly over AI usage concerns.

The debate extends beyond the U.S. In the UK, the government has faced criticism for proposing that AI firms be allowed to use copyrighted works without prior permission unless artists explicitly opt out. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced plans for an official review, expected in March, to reconsider these proposals and seek a "reset" on the approach to AI and copyright. This ongoing dialogue highlights the complex intersection of technological innovation, creative rights, and legal frameworks as AI continues to evolve and impact the creative industries.

The campaign and its growing support emphasize the need for clear licensing agreements and respect for creators’ rights in the age of AI. It calls on AI developers to acknowledge the value of original creative work and to collaborate with artists, writers, and performers rather than exploiting their content without consent. As AI technologies become more sophisticated and widespread, the resolution of these copyright issues will significantly influence the future relationship between technology and creativity.