The Human Artistry Campaign, a coalition of creators, unions and industry groups, has launched "Stealing Isn't Innovation", accusing big tech companies of building AI on creative work taken without permission. About 700 creators signed at launch, and the list passed 800 within days.
Names include Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Questlove, Cyndi Lauper, R.E.M. and Vince Gilligan. The pitch is that American creative work is a valuable national asset, that using it without authorisation is theft, and that AI firms should license it. The campaign credits some developers with already doing so and argues strong AI and creators' rights can coexist.
Several signers have spoken out before. Gordon-Levitt called in 2025 for a pause on superintelligence work until safety standards exist, and Johansson urged lawmakers to limit AI after a video using her likeness without consent spread online.
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