Actors Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have united with over 700 artists, writers and creators to challenge artificial intelligence companies they accuse of exploiting copyrighted material without permission or compensation.

The campaign argues that using creative work to train AI systems without consent is not innovation but outright theft, posing a serious risk to the US creative industry, which supports millions of jobs across film, television, music, publishing and digital media.

According to the statement, many AI developers—often backed by private equity—are building powerful platforms by harvesting original content while bypassing copyright laws and transparency standards. The initiative calls on tech companies to pursue ethical alternatives, such as licensing agreements and strategic partnerships that respect creators’ rights while still enabling AI advancement.

Johansson has been one of the most vocal critics of AI misuse, previously condemning unauthorised digital replicas of her image and voice, including disputes over AI-generated content and advertising. Blanchett has similarly warned about the dangers of unexamined technological progress, stressing the need for imagination and responsibility in innovation.

In recent years, both Blanchett and Gordon-Levitt have backed wider industry efforts, including an open letter urging the US government to defend existing copyright protections against pressure from AI firms. Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has also echoed these concerns, calling out AI’s impact on creativity during major industry events.