Scarlett Johansson Joins Hollywood Stars in Accusing AI Giants of 'Theft' in Blunt Open Letter
Scarlett Johansson has joined a growing list of 700 entertainment industry figures in demanding that tech companies stop 'stealing' copyrighted artistic work to train their AI models. Johansson's support is notable, given her previous stance against the 'misuse' of artificial intelligence.
The actress has endorsed the 'Stealing Isn't Innovation' movement, a campaign led by the Human Artistry Campaign, which also includes renowned actors like Cate Blanchett and Joseph Gordon-Levitt among its supporters. They have accused unnamed tech giants of 'theft' and demanded that these companies engage in 'ethical' partnerships when accessing artistic content.
This coordinated backlash against AI exploitation from the Hollywood community is one of the most vocal yet. Other prominent backers include Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Olivia Munn, and music artists like MGMT. The New York Times has also carried ads highlighting the campaign's message.
The campaign's website (https://www.stealingisntinnovation.com/) features a powerful statement: 'America's creative community is the envy of the world and creates jobs, economic growth, and exports.'
However, it continues, 'But rather than respect and protect this valuable asset, some of the biggest tech companies, often backed by private equity and other funders, are using American creators' work to build AI platforms without authorization or regard for copyright law.'
The artists, writers, and creators are united in their message: 'Stealing our work is not innovation. It's not progress. It's theft – plain and simple.'
The campaign advocates for a better approach, suggesting that through licensing deals and partnerships, some AI companies have taken the responsible, ethical route to obtaining content and materials. It argues that it is possible to have both advanced, rapidly developing AI and ensure creators' rights are respected.
