Over 400 celebrities sign letter opposing AI training on copyrighted works without permission

Celebrities oppose AI use of copyrighted work without permission.

: More than 400 celebrities, including Ben Stiller and Paul McCartney, are opposing AI firms like OpenAI and Google's proposal to use copyrighted works for training AI without permission. The letter argues for the protection of copyright laws, emphasizing the impact on America's entertainment industry, which supports 2.3 million people and contributes $229 billion in wages. Prominent figures worldwide express concern over the weakening of copyright protections, contending it threatens cultural and economic integrity. In the UK, over 1,000 musicians released a silent album to protest similar AI proposals.

Over 400 prominent Hollywood personalities, including the likes of Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and Paul McCartney, have come together to address a significant issue concerning artificial intelligence and copyright laws. These figures have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to firmly reject any proposals by AI companies such as OpenAI and Google that seek to train their AI on copyrighted material without obtaining proper authorization. The letter highlights concerns that this approach would undermine creative industries, emphasizing that America’s leadership in AI should not compromise its artistic and economic domains.

The letter contends that the suggestions from OpenAI and Google, which justify the need for relaxed copyright laws under the banner “the freedom to learn,” pose a risk to critical cultural industries. OpenAI has asserted that these changes could bolster national security and maintain America’s competitive edge against China in the domain of AI development. However, the celebrities' response underlines the importance of maintaining copyright protections as part of a robust framework that has historically driven cultural and economic strength in America.

Business leaders and celebrities argue that permitting AI companies to proceed with these proposals without oversight could lead to extensive exploitation of intellectual property across music, film, writing, and digital content. The letter stresses that reducing copyright protections would as well diminish the incentive for creative risk-taking, arguing that such a move would intrude on the foundations of not only economic gain but also American democratic influence and cultural diplomacy abroad.

The controversy regarding AI and copyright is not limited to the United States. In the United Kingdom, proposals have emerged that could allow AI firms to train their systems legally on any work they can access, assuming creators have not opted out. Such proposals have been met with significant opposition from UK artists, leading to a unique protest by over 1,000 musicians who released a silent album titled "Is This What We Want?" to draw attention to their cause.

The growing debate around AI, copyright, and intellectual property protection is not only a matter of legal policy but also raises ethical questions about the balance between technological advancement and the rights of creators. It highlights the need for global consensus on how AI technologies should be developed and regulated to ensure equitable benefits, preparing lawmakers and industry leaders for future legislation and innovation challenges.

Sources: The Wrap, TechSpot

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