Hollywood's biggest names are standing together to defend creative rights in the face of artificial intelligence expansion. More than 420 actors, directors, and industry professionals have signed an open letter urging the U.S. government to uphold copyright protections that prevent AI from freely using artistic works.
Actors Unite for Copyright Protections
Leading the charge is actress Natasha Lyonne, joined by stars like Bette Midler, Aubrey Plaza, Ava DuVernay, Paul Simon, and Mark Ruffalo. The letter calls out Open AI and Google for pushing the Trump administration to weaken existing copyright laws, arguing that such changes would severely harm creative industries.
Debate Over AI Usage of Copyrighted Materials
OpenAI and Google recently urged the Office of Science and Technology Policy to allow AI developers to use copyrighted materials without restrictions. Google claims that making an exception for AI training would not significantly impact creators, citing fair use and data-mining rules as justifications. But Hollywood insiders strongly disagree, arguing that this move would devalue the work of artists and entertainers who rely on copyright protections.
Fears of AI Replacing Human Performers
Actors have been pushing back against AI for years, fearing that its unchecked growth could replace human performers and undermine artistic integrity. During the 2024 SAG-AFTRA negotiations, one of the biggest sticking points was AI regulation. The union fought to ensure that actors’ digital replicas could not be used without their consent and that performers would be fairly compensated even if AI-generated versions of them were used.
Regulation and Protections
After a historic 118-day strike, SAG-AFTRA secured critical protections, and California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law to regulate AI use in entertainment. One law mandates that labour contracts specify whether AI replicas will be used, while the other prevents unauthorized AI-generated versions of deceased performers from appearing in media.
Support for the Entertainment Industry
The letter highlights that the entertainment industry supports over 2.3 million jobs and contributes more than $229 billion in wages annually. It warns that weakening copyright protections would threaten both economic stability and cultural identity.
Continued Movement for Protection
The movement continues to gain momentum, with signatures from stars like Ben Stiller, Ayo Edebiri, Cara Delevingne, Cate Blanchett, and directors Guillermo del Toro and Taika Waititi. Though the group initially requested a government response by a set deadline, they are still collecting signatures, proving that Hollywood is determined to protect the future of creative work from AI exploitation.
