Hollywood heavyweights Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have joined a growing global backlash against artificial intelligence companies accused of exploiting copyrighted creative work without consent.
The actors are among 700 artists, writers, filmmakers, and creators backing a new anti-AI campaign that directly challenges the practices of major tech firms training AI systems on protected content.
“Stealing our work is not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s theft — plain and simple,” the statement reads.
According to the campaign, the unchecked use of creative material threatens the foundation of the US creative economy, an industry spanning film, television, music, publishing, and digital media that supports millions of jobs and shapes American cultural influence worldwide.
A Creative Industry Under Pressure
As reported by Variety, the coalition argues that many AI developers harvest original work without permission, fair compensation, or transparency, often bypassing existing copyright laws.
“America’s creative community is the envy of the world,” the statement notes. “Yet some of the biggest tech companies — many backed by private equity — are using American creators’ work to build AI platforms with little regard for copyright.”
The campaign urges technology firms to pursue formal licensing agreements and strategic partnerships, highlighting that several companies have already demonstrated that ethical collaboration is possible.
“A better way exists. We can have advanced, rapidly evolving AI — and still respect creators’ rights.”
Johansson’s Long-Running AI Battle
Scarlett Johansson has been one of the most outspoken critics of AI misuse. In early 2024, she condemned a viral AI-generated video that falsely depicted her responding to anti-Semitic remarks attributed to Kanye West.
Later that year, she pursued legal action against an AI app that allegedly used her name and likeness in digital advertising without consent.
In May 2024, Johansson also criticised OpenAI, claiming the GPT-4o “Sky” voice closely resembled her performance in Spike Jonze’s Her (2013), despite her declining involvement in the project.
Blanchett and Levitt Warn of Cultural Consequences
Cate Blanchett has repeatedly raised concerns about the social and artistic impact of emerging technologies. Speaking at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, she warned that unchecked innovation could erode creativity itself.
“Innovation without imagination is a very, very dangerous thing,” Blanchett said.
In 2025, Blanchett and Joseph Gordon-Levitt joined 400 industry leaders in signing an open letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, urging the Trump administration to protect existing copyright laws and resist lobbying efforts from AI firms seeking looser regulations.
The Bigger Fight Ahead
As AI tools rapidly reshape media, entertainment, and publishing, the campaign signals a defining moment in the battle over authorship, ownership, and creative labour. For these artists, the issue goes beyond personal rights — it’s about preserving the future of human creativity in a machine-driven world.
