Last month, nearly 1,000 artists affixed their names to an ad that ran in the New York Times, arguing that generative A.I. is built on “theft — plain and simple.” The campaign—which the Times itself explicitly supports—argues that tech companies are using creators’ work “without authorization” and encourages companies to negotiate licensing deals with rightsholders instead. Artists, creators, and others concerned about creativity have legitimate concerns with AI technology and its potential to disrupt livelihoods. However, the campaign behind this ad is trying to win an urgent policy fight through sleight of hand and reductionist rhetoric.
The “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” ad was organized by the Human Artistry Campaign, a coalition that includes artist and creator groups, as well as copyright maximalists like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Authors Guild. The history of these industry groups demonstrates that their primary goal is not “defending artists.”
These groups have long sought to advance regulatory and enforcement frameworks that first and foremost benefit record labels, publishing companies, and other media giants. History has shown that these favored enforcement models expanded quickly and hit the least powerful first. This, in turn, forced artists and creators into the fold of exploitative media and creative industries to survive. Now, many of the same industry voices are pursuing a similar approach as AI becomes more widely used.
