In a notable response to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, over 420 members of the entertainment industry have voiced their concerns through an open letter. Spearheaded by actress Natasha Lyonne, the letter includes prominent figures such as Bette Midler, Aubrey Plaza, Ava DuVernay, Paul Simon, and Mark Ruffalo, among others.

The Issue at Hand

The primary focus of the letter is the recent recommendations by OpenAI and Google to relax copyright laws that currently govern the training of AI models. This move, they argue, threatens the integrity of the creative sectors by undermining copyright protections crucial for filmmakers, musicians, and artists.

Google, specifically, suggested that allowing exceptions to copyright laws could enable the use of “copyrighted, publicly available material for AI training without significantly impacting rights holders.” They propose that existing frameworks for fair use and data mining could safeguard creators while facilitating AI development.

Concerns from the Entertainment Community

Hollywood’s apprehensions about AI are not new. The expansion of AI capabilities has long been viewed as a potential threat to the livelihoods of artists and performers. During the 2024 SAG-AFTRA union negotiations, the issue of AI regulation emerged as a contentious topic, leading to significant friction between actors and production companies. SAG-AFTRA, representing around 160,000 performers, advocated for stringent rules ensuring that consent is obtained from actors for the creation and utilization of digital replicas. Furthermore, they sought assurances that performers would receive standard compensation for work performed by their digital counterparts.

Following a protracted 118-day strike, the union secured a deal that included safeguards regarding consent and payment for AI-generated roles.

Legislative Support in California

In recognition of these concerns, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two landmark bills into law that offer protections for actors against unauthorized AI duplication. One bill mandates that contracts explicitly address the potential use of AI-generated images of actors, while the other prohibits the commercial use of deceased performers’ digital replicas without consent from their estates.

Growing Coalition and Economic Implications

The coalition advocating for stronger copyright protections continues to expand, now boasting diverse signatories, including Ben Stiller, Ayo Edebiri, Cara Delevingne, Guillermo del Toro, and Cate Blanchett. Their letter emphasizes the vital role of the entertainment industry, which supports over 2.3 million jobs in the U.S. and contributes more than $229 billion in annual wages. They contend that AI companies’ attempts to diminish copyright protections threaten not only creative labor but also this significant economic contribution.

National Conversations on AI Regulation

The debate over AI regulation extends beyond Hollywood. Recently, Vice President JD Vance warned European Union leaders against excessive AI regulation during the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, cautioning that overregulation could stifle innovation in a sector poised for transformative growth.

Moreover, in January, former President Donald Trump outlined plans to allocate up to $500 billion to boost AI infrastructure, seeking to keep pace with global competitors. His administration’s rollback of safety measures initially established by President Biden has faced criticism from organizations like the ACLU, which called the dismantling of AI regulations a “grave mistake.” They argued that the prior guidelines fostered accountability and transparency in AI deployment.