Nearly 800 artists, including Smokey Robinson, The Roots, and Yolanda Adams, have signed an open letter protesting the use of their work in training artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Artists Accuse Tech Companies of “Theft”
The open letter, announced today, January 22nd, is a product of the Human Artistry Campaign’s Stealing Isn’t Innovation movement. Signatories – writers, musicians, and actors – allege that technology companies are engaging in the mass theft of copyrighted material to develop AI tools that could compete with human creatives.
According to the campaign, “Big Tech is trying to change the law so they can keep stealing American artistry to build their AI businesses – without authorization and without paying the people who did the work.” The movement asserts that using creative work without permission is “theft on a grand scale.”
Demands for Change
The Human Artistry Campaign is calling on tech companies to license works and provide creators with the option to prevent their projects from being used in AI training. Dr. Moiya McTier, a senior advisor to the campaign, stated that “Real innovation comes from the human motivation to change our lives.” She also argued that AI companies are “endangering artists’ careers while exploiting their practiced craft.”
While some tech companies, such as OpenAI and Warner Music Group, have begun entering into licensing deals with content owners – including Disney, The Guardian, and AI music generator Suno – the core issue of unauthorized use remains. Tech companies currently maintain that using material available online falls under “fair use” provisions.
The Stealing Isn’t Innovation movement comes as lawmakers consider a number of proposed pieces of legislation aimed at protecting creators’ rights. It remains to be seen whether the current administration will favor the arguments of tech companies or those advocating for stronger copyright protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” movement?
It is a campaign from the Human Artistry Campaign protesting the alleged mass theft of human-created works by technology companies to train their AI models.
What is the No AI FRAUD Act?
The No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications (No AI FRAUD) Act, introduced in January 2024, establishes a federal framework to protect Americans’ individual right to their likeness and voice against AI-generated fakes and forgeries.
What do tech companies say about using copyrighted material?
Tech companies argue that using material available online is “fair use.”
How will the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI impact the creative process and the livelihoods of artists?
