Hollywood is taking a stance against AI. A-list actors, musicians, and filmmakers have urged the Trump administration to prohibit OpenAI and Google from freely using copyrighted material.
In a letter to the White House, they claim that weakening copyright protections would harm the entertainment industry and jeopardize the jobs of creative professionals across the country.
The Trump Administration is being urged by hundreds of celebrities, including Olivia Wilde, Paul McCartney, Ben Stiller, and Aubrey Plaza, to oppose OpenAI and Google's plans that would make it easier for the tech companies to train artificial intelligence using copyrighted content, as per a report by TheWrap.
In an open letter to the White House this past weekend, which TheWrap was able to obtain, over 400 celebrities and entertainment executives argued that such a move would "freely exploit America’s creative and knowledge industries, despite [OpenAI and Google’s] substantial revenues and available funds."
According to the letter, there is "no reason" to reduce or do away with copyright protections in order to support the advancement of AI models.
In its proposal last Thursday, OpenAI claimed that more liberal copyright regulations would support "the freedom to learn" and aid in "protecting" the national security of the United States.
OpenAI contended that permitting AI models to use copyrighted content would also “strengthen America’s lead” against China’s communist regime in terms of AI development; Google echoed this assertion in its own proposal submitted last week.
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The open letter stated, "We are adamant that America's leadership in AI must not be at the expense of our vital creative industries."
Besides providing $229 billion in wages annually and supporting 2.3 million Americans, the letter claimed that America's arts and entertainment sector serves as the "foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad."
They claimed that if AI models could steal copyrighted content without paying for it, then all of that would be jeopardized.
According to the letter, "AI companies are requesting to weaken copyright protections for the movies, TV shows, artwork, writing, music, and voices used to train AI models at the core of multi-billion dollar corporate valuations in order to undermine this economic and cultural strength."
All of America's knowledge industries, including writers, philosophers, photographers, scientists, engineers, designers, physicians, and architects, are at risk from this problem, the letter also underlined.
Although the White House Office of Science and Technology has not made the letter publicly available, it is still accepting signatures and plans to release an updated statement soon.
They argue that allowing AI companies to use copyrighted work without permission will harm artists, writers, and musicians by undermining intellectual property rights.
What are OpenAI and Google saying in their defense?
They contend that relaxed copyright laws will aid AI progress, strengthen national security, and keep the United States ahead of China in AI development.
In a letter to the White House, they claim that weakening copyright protections would harm the entertainment industry and jeopardize the jobs of creative professionals across the country.
The Trump Administration is being urged by hundreds of celebrities, including Olivia Wilde, Paul McCartney, Ben Stiller, and Aubrey Plaza, to oppose OpenAI and Google's plans that would make it easier for the tech companies to train artificial intelligence using copyrighted content, as per a report by TheWrap.
In an open letter to the White House this past weekend, which TheWrap was able to obtain, over 400 celebrities and entertainment executives argued that such a move would "freely exploit America’s creative and knowledge industries, despite [OpenAI and Google’s] substantial revenues and available funds."
According to the letter, there is "no reason" to reduce or do away with copyright protections in order to support the advancement of AI models.
What are OpenAI and Google proposing?
The letter follows the White House's announcement last week of OpenAI and Google's plans to support the US AI industry.In its proposal last Thursday, OpenAI claimed that more liberal copyright regulations would support "the freedom to learn" and aid in "protecting" the national security of the United States.
OpenAI contended that permitting AI models to use copyrighted content would also “strengthen America’s lead” against China’s communist regime in terms of AI development; Google echoed this assertion in its own proposal submitted last week.
ALSO READ: American Pie actress Jasmine Mooney detained by ICE at U.S-Mexico border, says she was forced to sleep wrapped in foil for days, ‘I’ve never seen anything so inhumane’
Why is Hollywood pushing back?
However, the celebrities and business leaders who contacted the government did not agree with that line of thinking.The open letter stated, "We are adamant that America's leadership in AI must not be at the expense of our vital creative industries."
Besides providing $229 billion in wages annually and supporting 2.3 million Americans, the letter claimed that America's arts and entertainment sector serves as the "foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad."
They claimed that if AI models could steal copyrighted content without paying for it, then all of that would be jeopardized.
According to the letter, "AI companies are requesting to weaken copyright protections for the movies, TV shows, artwork, writing, music, and voices used to train AI models at the core of multi-billion dollar corporate valuations in order to undermine this economic and cultural strength."
All of America's knowledge industries, including writers, philosophers, photographers, scientists, engineers, designers, physicians, and architects, are at risk from this problem, the letter also underlined.
Although the White House Office of Science and Technology has not made the letter publicly available, it is still accepting signatures and plans to release an updated statement soon.
FAQs
Why are celebrities protesting AI's use of copyrighted content?They argue that allowing AI companies to use copyrighted work without permission will harm artists, writers, and musicians by undermining intellectual property rights.
What are OpenAI and Google saying in their defense?
They contend that relaxed copyright laws will aid AI progress, strengthen national security, and keep the United States ahead of China in AI development.
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