Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett are leading a strong message against big tech. Around 800 artists just signed an open letter saying companies are stealing their work to train AI models. They call it plain theft, not smart progress.
The letter comes from a group called Stealing Isn’t Innovation, part of the Human Artistry Campaign. Big stars like Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, the band R.E.M., and Vince Gilligan—the guy behind Breaking Bad—put their names on it. Writers, musicians, and actors from all over joined in.
They say some of the biggest tech companies take huge amounts of books, songs, photos, and videos from the internet without asking or paying. Then they use that stuff to build powerful AI tools. The artists argue this hurts their jobs and breaks copyright rules.
The letter puts it clearly: the creative world in the US brings jobs, money, and pride to the country. But instead of protecting it, these companies build their AI platforms on stolen work. “Stealing our work is not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s theft—plain and simple.”
This fight is not new. There are about 60 lawsuits right now in the US where creators take AI firms to court over the same issue. Cases pop up in Europe too. Companies often say it’s fair use, but artists push back hard, saying it copies their work without permission and cuts into their pay.
Scarlett Johansson has spoken out before. Back in 2024, OpenAI got heat when one of its voice features sounded a lot like her role in the movie Her. She sent letters saying they had no right to copy her voice that way. OpenAI ended up pausing that feature.
The open letter wants change. Artists demand ethical deals where companies ask for permission, pay fair, and respect rights. They worry about deepfakes, fake news, and low-quality AI content flooding everything.
This comes at a time when AI keeps growing fast. Tools can make pictures, write stories, or copy voices in seconds. But many creators feel left out or pushed aside. They want their work safe and valued.
People in Hollywood and music see this as a big stand. With names like Johansson and Blanchett involved, it gets a lot of attention. It shows the creative community is united and ready to fight for fair rules.
The debate over AI and art will keep going. Lawsuits move slow, but voices like these make sure the issue stays loud. For artists, it’s about protecting what they create. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that tech needs to play fair too.
This story hits home for anyone who loves movies, music, or books. When big stars speak up, it makes you think about where AI draws the line between helpful and harmful.