‘It’s theft – plain and simple’: hundreds of artists, including Scarlett Johansson, have snapped and created an anti-AI campaign that says ‘a better way exists’

• Hundreds of artists have launched an anti-AI campaign
• They say AI is stealing their work and want licensing deals instead
• Signatories include Scarlett Johansson, Cyndi Lauper and more

Among the many controversies surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), the way it trains its algorithms on artistic works without compensation is among the most contentious. This dispute has now led to a campaign by actors, musicians, writers and others to push back against the “theft” of their works by AI.

The campaign’s website, called “Stealing Isn’t Innovation,” says that “some of the biggest tech companies … are using the work of American creators to build AI platforms without authorization or regard for copyright law.” The site continues: “That’s not progress. It’s theft – plain and simple.”