Top Hollywood stars issue strong statement against AI firms

Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are among 700 artists, writers, and creators who are calling out tech companies for training their AI systems on their creative work without, in return, paying them or asking for their permission to use it.

Their anti-AI campaign argues that "Stealing our work is not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s theft – plain and simple.”

In the wake of some lawmakers mulling regulations on AI training data, the group's statement highlights the dangers AI poses to the industry.

"They also want to protect the U.S. creative sector as a whole, spanning film, television, music, publishing and digital media, which supports millions of jobs, fuels economic growth, and projects cultural power globally.“

Beyond criticism, the statement also has a solution: strike deals or partnerships with the tech companies.

“A better way exists,” the message shares, adding that licensing deals are a possible way forward. “It is possible to have it all. We can have advanced, rapidly developing AI and ensure creators’ rights are respected.”

Meanwhile, Johansson, who is part of the anti-AI campaign, has once again underlined the dangers of AI. A deepfake video went viral a few years ago, leading her to issue a strong statement condemning it.