Scarlett Johansson, along with Cate Blanchett, REM, Jodi Picoult, and hundreds of other Hollywood stars, musicians, and authors, have joined a new campaign condemning artificial intelligence companies for the unauthorized use of their creative content. Launched on Thursday, the “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” campaign highlights the systematic use of American creators’ work by AI firms without consent or proper licensing, raising serious concerns about copyright infringement and ethical practices.
Details of the Campaign and Industry Response
The campaign statement insists that tech companies have been using artists’ material to
build AI platforms without authorisation or regard for copyright law
. It continues,
“Artists, writers, and creators of all kinds are banding together with a simple message: Stealing our work is not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s theft – plain and simple.”
The organizers call on AI firms to establish licensing agreements and partnerships with creative professionals, recognizing companies that have taken this approach.
Some AI developers have negotiated deals with content owners: OpenAI has reached agreements with Disney and the Guardian, while Warner Music Group signed a license with AI music company Suno. Despite these advances, copyright remains deeply contentious, as AI systems power chatbots like ChatGPT and image tools such as Grok Imagine by training on vast data scraped from the internet without explicit permission from original creators.
Legal Disputes and Johansson’s Personal Experience
The legal landscape around AI and copyright continues to evolve, with numerous lawsuits filed in the United States challenging how companies use copyrighted material. AI firms argue that their data usage falls under “fair use,” a legal doctrine permitting certain copyright-protected content usage without consent. However, creative professionals maintain that explicit approval and royalties should be mandatory.
Scarlett Johansson became a focal point in this debate in 2024 when OpenAI used her voice likeness in its assistant without permission, prompting her to express that she was “shocked, angered and in disbelief”. OpenAI later removed her voice from their platform in response to the backlash.
Additional Support and Industry Backing
Other prominent figures signing the statement include actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, who described AI as the
“world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine,”
and singer Cyndi Lauper. The human artistry campaign behind this initiative is supported by several influential groups, including the Writers Guild of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union that staged a strike in 2023 partly over concerns about AI usage.
Government Stance and Future Developments in the UK
In the United Kingdom, the government has faced criticism for suggesting AI companies should be allowed to use copyrighted works without prior permission unless creators opt out of such usage. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall recently announced that the government will reassess these plans through an official review scheduled for March, aiming to reset the policy in light of the ongoing debate.
Implications for the Creative Industry and What Lies Ahead
The “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” campaign marks a significant push by creative professionals to hold AI companies accountable for exploiting copyrighted content. As tensions rise between artists and technology firms, the pressure is mounting for clear legal protections and fair compensation mechanisms. The outcome of ongoing lawsuits, licensing negotiations, and government reviews will likely shape the future dynamics between AI development and creative ownership, potentially redefining how innovation can proceed without overshadowing the rights of original creators.
