Cate Blanchett makes unexpected move amid AI art theft

Cate Blanchett recently made unexpected move as she launched a non-profit organisation to prevent AI companies from using creative work without consent.

The Oscar-winning actress introduced RSL Media on May 12, as she described the rapid growth of AI technologies as “essentially unchecked and unregulated”.

The organisation, which Cate co-founded with technology executive Nikki Hexum, aimed to start a “human consent standard” that would enable “people to formally declare whether AI systems are allowed to use their creative work and personal identities”.

In a press statement shared via Variety, it said that the system will “cover films, books, music, photography, artwork, voices, names, facial likenesses, fictional characters, logos, and trademarks”.

“Users will be able to classify AI permissions as ‘allowed’, ‘allowed with terms’, or ‘prohibited’, with the instructions translated into machine-readable signals intended to be recognised by AI systems,” read the statement.

Interestingly, the Ocean’s 8 actress pointed out in a statement, “AI technologies are expanding rampantly, essentially unchecked and unregulated. In order for humans to remain in front of these technologies, consent must be the first consideration.”

“RSL Media is also the industry’s first practical solution where people everywhere, not just public figures, can assert control over how their work is used by AI,” added Cate.

Meanwhile, the organisation also received support from prominent stars in Hollywood including Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, Kristen Steward, Emma Thompson and Helen Mirren.