Johansson, Blanchett, Gordon-Levitt join anti-AI campaign

More than 700 artistes, writers and creators, including Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, have united behind a new anti-AI campaign accusing major technology companies of exploiting copyrighted work without permission.
The campaign comes as lawmakers in the US and Europe debate new regulations governing how artificial intelligence systems are trained. In a strongly worded statement, the group argues that using creative work without consent or compensation is not innovation but “theft — plain and simple.”
The letter stresses that the fight is not only about individual creators but about protecting the wider US creative economy, which spans film, television, music, publishing and digital media. According to the statement, the sector supports millions of jobs, fuels economic growth and projects American cultural influence worldwide — all of which are now at risk due to AI developers scraping content without authorization, transparency or payment.
“America’s creative community is the envy of the world,” the statement reads. “But rather than respect and protect this valuable asset, some of the biggest tech companies… are using American creators’ work to build AI platforms without regard for copyright law.”
The campaign urges AI companies to pursue licensing agreements and partnerships, noting that some firms have already taken this approach. Such deals, the signatories argue, would allow AI technology to advance while respecting creators’ rights.

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