Hundreds of Hollywood stars, including well-known figures like Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and Cynthia Erivo, have come together to urge Donald Trump’s White House to protect the copyrights of the entertainment industry from the growing influence of artificial intelligence and big tech. The open letter, which has been signed by over 400 actors, directors, and creatives, challenges major tech companies such as Google and OpenAI, who argue that AI models need access to a broad range of copyrighted content to stay competitive, particularly in the face of rapid advancements in countries like China.
The letter warns that weakening copyright protections could undermine the U.S. creative economy, which generates over $230 billion a year and supports millions of jobs. The Hollywood figures emphasize that allowing tech giants to freely use copyrighted material would threaten the foundation of American creativity, impacting industries far beyond just entertainment. “If we allow big tech to exploit America’s creative sectors, we risk damaging the world’s most vibrant creative economy,” the letter reads.
This appeal comes after President Trump signed an executive order in January aiming to reduce government control over AI development and increase the United States’ dominance in the global AI race. The order invited companies and other stakeholders to submit proposals, and tech giants like Google and OpenAI have stressed that unrestricted access to copyrighted content is crucial to keep up with international competitors, particularly in China.
The entertainment industry has been grappling with AI’s growing influence, with studios exploring the potential for cost-cutting through AI, while many in Hollywood worry about the long-term impact on jobs and content quality. The issue became a key point during the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, with agreements made to protect creatives from AI misuse, such as ensuring consent and compensation for using AI to replicate actors’ likenesses or writers’ scripts.
Hollywood figures are now stressing that the fight to protect copyrights is not just an entertainment issue but one that could affect all sectors of America’s knowledge-based industries. As tech companies continue to expand their control, the outcome of this debate will shape the future of creativity and innovation in the country.
