Hollywood Heavyweights Rally Against AI Exploiting Artists

Some of the biggest names in the entertainment world have banded together to take a stand against tech giants cashing in on the rise of generative AI. Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett and a host of other well-known faces are backing a new campaign that calls out the use of their images and voices in AI-generated videos without their say-so. The campaign, dubbed 'Stealing Isn't Innovation', comes at a time when the industry is split—some are keen on AI for its cost-cutting potential, while others are wary of machines edging out real people.

The main gripe is with the unchecked use of performers’ likenesses and voices in AI content, all without permission. According to the campaign, the target is companies using generative AI to churn out material without giving credit or payment to the original creators. One of the campaign’s most pointed statements reads:

Big Tech is trying to change the law so they can keep stealing American artistry to build their AI businesses – without authorisation and without paying the people who did the work. That is wrong; it's un-American, and it's theft on a grand scale.

Backed by over 700 industry figures, the campaign was put together by the Human Artistry Campaign. Alongside Johansson and Blanchett, supporters include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Fran Drescher, Kristen Bell, and musicians like Cyndi Lauper and Questlove. Dr Moiya McTier, an advisor for the group, summed up the issue:

Real innovation comes from the human motivation to change our lives. It moves opportunity forward while driving economic growth and creating jobs. But AI companies are endangering artists' careers while exploiting their practised craft, using human art and other creative works without authorisation to amass billions in corporate earnings.

AI’s Unstoppable March and the Creative Dilemma

Let’s be honest—technology isn’t slowing down for anyone. People have always looked for ways to make life easier, and AI once seemed like the ultimate achievement. It was built to handle complex tasks quickly and efficiently. So, where did things start to go pear-shaped? The doomsday scenarios from films like The Terminator and The Matrix have faded into the background. Instead, the real issue is much simpler: AI can now do what people do, sometimes even better and faster. The technology is improving at a rate that’s hard to keep up with, and it’s only a matter of time before it gets even closer to perfection.

AI has its place, no doubt. Like any major breakthrough, it can make life smoother and more convenient. But when it comes to creative work, things get tricky. Sure, it can help studios save a few bucks on production, but it also means anyone can whip up new content or rehash old material with a few clicks. That’s where many reckon the line should be drawn.

Industry Choices and the Role of the Audience

It’s easy to say “just embrace AI” if you’re looking at the bottom line and want to cash in on the latest trend. That’s probably why some big studios have inked deals to let AI companies use their catalogues for new content. Rather than fighting the tide, they’ve decided to go with the flow. But can anything really stop AI’s advance in the arts? Maybe the answer lies in tighter industry rules, but punters have a part to play too.

At the end of the day, it’s about backing the creators—the ones whose work has always sparked real emotion, without a machine smoothing out the edges. Maybe what we watch and listen to isn’t meant to be as polished or as easy as what AI can churn out. Sometimes, the human touch is what makes it worth it.