More than 400 actors, musicians, directors, writers, and other creative professionals have signed an open letter calling on the US administration to ban the training of AI models on copyrighted works. The letter is a direct response to proposals by OpenAI and Google advocating for the “freedom to train” AI models without obtaining permission from copyright holders or providing appropriate compensation.
OpenAI has argued that relaxing copyright laws would promote the “freedom to train” and bolster America’s national security. Both OpenAI and Google are confident that such measures will help “solidify America’s leadership” in the global AI competition, particularly against China.
However, the celebrities involved see no justification for abolishing copyright protections to support AI development. “We firmly believe that America’s global leadership in AI should not come at the expense of our vital creative industries,” they state. According to the letter, allowing AI “freedom to learn” would undermine the country’s economic and cultural strength, weaken copyright protections, and enable Google and OpenAI to exploit America’s creative and educational industries without fair compensation—despite their already considerable revenues and resources.
Impact on Creative Industries
The letter emphasizes that America’s cultural success stems from its strong respect for intellectual property rights. “America has not become the world’s cultural center by accident,” it says. “Our success is directly due to our fundamental respect for intellectual property and copyright, which rewards the creative risks of talented and hard-working Americans in every state.”
The entertainment industry in the US employs 2.3 million citizens, paying out $229 billion in wages annually. It also serves as a foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad. Among those who signed the protest letter are world-famous figures such as Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, Paul McCartney, Guillermo del Toro, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and many others from the creative sector.
Celebrities are voicing similar concerns outside the US, adds NIXSOLUTIONS. In the UK, proposed changes to copyright law would allow AI training without the permission of copyright owners unless explicitly refused. In response, a group of 1,000 musicians released a “silent” album titled Is this what we want?, containing only recordings of empty studios and concert halls. Their slogan, “Make it fair,” appeared on national media front pages, urging dialogue between the industry and AI developers.
This issue continues to evolve, and we’ll keep you updated as more developments unfold.