Hundreds of Hollywood stars, including Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and Cynthia Erivo, have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to protect film, TV, and music copyrights from the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI). In an open letter signed by over 400 actors, directors, and artists, Hollywood creatives pushed back against tech giants like Google and OpenAI, who advocate for AI models to be trained on a vast array of copyrighted works.
The letter, addressed to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, warns that weakening copyright protections would allow major technology firms to exploit America’s creative and knowledge industries. The entertainment sector, which supports over 2.3 million jobs and generates approximately $230 billion in annual wages, is a cornerstone of U.S. soft power and global cultural influence. Hollywood argues that unchecked AI development threatens this ecosystem, potentially jeopardizing jobs and the quality of content produced.
The dispute comes in the wake of Trump’s January executive order aimed at removing “unnecessary government control” over AI while bolstering the country’s leadership in the sector. The administration has since sought input from industry stakeholders on AI regulations. In response, Google and OpenAI have insisted that restricting AI from training on copyrighted content could place American companies at a disadvantage compared to Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek, which reportedly enjoy broader access to data.
Hollywood’s concerns are not new. The entertainment industry faced similar challenges during the 2023 labor strikes when writers and actors fought for AI protections. Eventually, agreements were reached with major studios, requiring consent and compensation for AI training on scripts and the use of actors’ likenesses. However, the issue has resurfaced with Trump’s potential return to power and the increasing influence of tech giants.
The letter underscores that the debate extends beyond Hollywood, impacting all knowledge-based industries. “The right to train AI on all copyright-protected content affects America’s creative and knowledge sectors,” it states, emphasizing the need for strong regulatory safeguards. As the AI race intensifies, the battle over copyright protections is set to shape the future of creative industries in the digital age.
