By Samuel A. Lopez, USA Herald

[HOLLYWOOD, CA] - Hollywood’s biggest stars have united once again, this time warning the world about the so-called “threat” posed by generative AI. Kevin Bacon, Rosario Dawson, and Julianne Moore are just a few of the 11,500 celebrities who signed an open letter urging protections against AI systems training on their work without consent. They argue that the unlicensed use of creative material, including their likenesses and performances, could destroy livelihoods.

As someone who covers the legal sector, I can’t help but see this situation from a broader perspective. Sure, these celebrities want protection from AI abuse, but is this really just about their livelihoods—or does it go deeper, affecting people like you and me?

What’s Really at Stake?
Let’s start by acknowledging the truth: Hollywood has always had a complicated relationship with technological change. Remember when the advent of cable threatened VHS rentals? Or how Redbox fought tooth and nail against online streaming? The result? Redbox movie rentals filed for bankruptcy, and streaming services like Netflix became household names. Similarly, artists panicked when Napster offered free music, yet today, we stream songs freely on YouTube and Spotify. These technologies ultimately made our lives easier, despite the initial resistance from industries.

Now, we see a similar story unfolding with AI. Hollywood elites claim that no one should be able to use their likeness without consent—specifically, AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and MidJourney, which everyday people use. They argue this is about justice, but it's also a means to restrict the average Joe's use of publicly available information. If the Hollywood elites get their way, you might be blocked from using AI tools for perfectly legal activities like parody, commentary, and scholarship.

A Slippery Slope for AI in Law and Beyond
What concerns me most is how this proposed restriction would extend beyond the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Imagine a world where law firms, like Husch Blackwell’s new AI-focused practice group, can't use AI tools to efficiently analyze vast amounts of data, including public records on celebrities. This would severely hamper legal professionals' ability to represent clients in entertainment law cases, intellectual property disputes, and even historical research.

Here’s a thought: how would an attorney ethically analyze a case involving a celebrity’s public persona if AI tools are blocked from training on publicly available information? It would create significant roadblocks for those in my profession who depend on fast, reliable AI tools to perform complex legal analyses. Blocking AI from training on celebrity data could cripple not just the entertainment sector but law, medicine, and countless other industries. AI isn't just a "threat" to Hollywood—it's a tool for innovation across all sectors. Restricting its use to the public would set a dangerous precedent.

The Loophole: Hollywood’s Hypocrisy
Interestingly, SAG-AFTRA’s proposed AI regulations only target certain “Generative AI” platforms, the same kind of AI that millions of regular folks use every day. It excludes “traditional AI” tools already used in pre- and post-production, CGI, and VFX. So, while Kevin Bacon and Rosario Dawson demand restrictions on ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Dall-e, their colleagues in Hollywood continue using sophisticated AI for CGI-enhanced action sequences, and marketing without skipping a beat.

Think about that. They’re calling for strict regulations on the AI you use while letting their rich studio buddies off the hook. This is less about justice and more about control—over both the future of technology and who profits from it.

It’s not the tool that poses a threat—it’s how we use it. Hollywood is trying to frame this battle as a moral issue, but it's really about control. If the public allows stars to dictate how AI can train on publicly available data, the everyday person will lose out on the creative and educational possibilities that AI offers.

The Legal Sector Takes Note
Law firms like Husch Blackwell are already recognizing the importance of AI in their practice. They’ve launched an entire practice group dedicated to AI-related legal issues, advising clients on regulatory frameworks and risks. This is the future. By clamping down on AI, Hollywood risks stifling technological innovation not just in film, but in industries far removed from the entertainment world.

Can you imagine the impact on entertainment law? If law firms can’t even use AI tools to analyze the likenesses of their clients or celebrities they represent, it would place severe restrictions on legal strategy. What if attorneys want to build a case for a biopic or docudrama, using AI to generate visual depictions based on historical records? This proposal could complicate that process.

We’ve Seen This Before
If history is any guide, Hollywood’s fight against AI will likely follow the same path as its battles against streaming, free music platforms, and other innovations that didn’t destroy the industry but reshaped it. The truth is, AI—like any new technology—is here to stay, and attempts to control its development are both shortsighted and counterproductive. AI won’t destroy creativity; it will enhance it for those willing to adapt.

“Don’t let the stars dim your future.” – Samuel A. Lopez

For more stories like this one, visit Samuel Lopez's Bio or USA Herald.

Take a look at some of the other notable signees below:

Rosie O’Donnell

Melissa Joan Hart

James Patterson, Author

Kate Mosse

Björn Ulvaeus, Songwriter

Sir John Rutter, Composer and Conductor

Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Novelist

Thom Yorke, Musician

Sir Ian Rankin, Novelist

Kate McKinnon

Malorie Blackman OBE, Author

Max Richter, Composer

William Boyd CBE, Novelist

Val McDermid, Writer

Tracy Chevalier, Author

F. Murray Abraham

Billy Bragg, Songwriter and author

Lady Antonia Fraser, Author

Roger McGough CBE, Poet

Geoff Barrow, Producer & Composer

Robert Smith, Musician

Ed O’Brien, Musician

Joe Goddard, Musician

Philip Selway, Musician

Jason Kay, Musician

Nitin Sawhney CBE, D.Mus, Composer / producer

Paula Hawkins, Writer

Lynn Goldsmith, Photographer , Painter

James Runcie, Writer

Madeline Miller, Writer

Emily St. John Mandel, Writer

Ted Chiang, Writer

Joanne Harris, Author

Emma Donoghue, Writer

Philippa Gregory, Historian Novelist Playwright

Harlan Coben, Author

Jonny Greenwood, Musician

Colin Greenwood, Musician

AURORA, Musician

Elizabeth Fremantle, Author

Sean Astin, Actor

Ann Patchett, Writer