Artists Protest Unlicensed AI Use of Their Works

Thousands of artists, including members of ABBA, Radiohead, and The Cure, have signed a protest letter opposing the unlicensed use of their creative works to train artificial intelligence tools. The letter highlights the major threat that generative AI poses to the livelihoods of creators, stating that such practices must not be permitted. Notable signatories include Björn Ulvaeus, Robert Smith, Thom Yorke, Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, and actors like Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon. The petition was organized by Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and former AI executive, who criticized companies for using copyrighted content without compensating original creators. This movement follows previous legal actions taken by authors against AI companies, emphasizing the ongoing battle over intellectual property rights in the digital age.