We’re now at 19,261 signatures! From illustration of live action and animated artworks to scriptwriting, actors, authors, musicians and human creators of all kinds. Jobs are at stake! Artists will be walking in solidarity on both the East & West Coasts next week (details below) to support SAG-AFTRA & the WGA who are the tip of the spear in our universal struggle to rein in unregulated generative AI. Please join us!
Trained on billions of images, content and copyrighted works, without the knowledge of or consent from their creators to be used, these AI companies have decided to take all the images and knowledge that digitally exist and wall them off so they can monetize them. This is WRONG! Until something is done, we need to keep up the pressure and keep pointing out to anyone and everyone who will listen, that that without all of the stolen data that has already been taken - not ONE of these AI machines would be able to output anything!
*************************************************************** ARTISTS PICKET (8/16) TO SUPPORT WGA & SAG-AFTRA: ***************************************************************
The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are on strike. Picketing is an important tactic to compel the studios to reach a deal that meets workers needs. One of the major pain points of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA is AI. We want to take the opportunity to not only show solidarity, but also to educate those on the picket line of the threat that AI brings to all our industries.
[WEST COAST]
If you live in Los Angeles, join artists this coming Wednesday (8/16) at Warner Brothers studio. The 9B Collective Studio is joining forces with the Concept Art Association! Join us at the picket line to show solidarity with the writers of the WGA and actors of SAG AFTRA! Bring a friend, get your sign ready, and meet us at Warner Bros on August 16th at 9am. Let's amplify their voices together! You don’t just have to be a union member to walk - everyone who cares about art is welcome!
Feel free to let the creativity flow and bring your own beautiful show of solidarity with your own sign. Suggested phrasing for signs could be: We stand with the WGA & SAG-AFTRA! We stand for Workers Rights! and no doubt NoAI themes are rife for possibility here with the looming threat to all of us from AI - be creative!
WHEN:
Wednesday, Aug 16, 2023 (9am-Noon) PST
WHERE:
Warner Brothers
(Check in Gate #4 & Picket near Gate #2)
Main Check in: 3772 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91505
PARKING / RESTROOM INFORMATION - here
*Special note for IATSE members: the main concern is that it doesn’t appear as though you (an IATSE member) are on strike. It’s important for you to be clear you are only there in support of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and that you are standing in solidarity with them.
[EAST COAST]
If you live near the NY area, Austin Curreri and the Concept Art Association will be picketing with the WGA & SAG-AFTRA from the 14th to the 18th of August. If you or someone you know wants to stop by, please do.
Details for multiple times and locations, and where you can sign-up can be found - here
If you can’t make it at any of these times, you can find more information on all the picketing dates/times and activities - here
They need our help - Stand together with the WGA & SAG-AFTRA!
#WGAStrike #WGAStrong #WGA #SAGStrike #SAGAFTRAStrong #SAGAFTRA #UnionStrong #ConceptArtAssociation #9BCollectiveStudio #SupportHumanArtists #CreateDontScrape #DeleteTheDataSets #Solidarity #NoAI #TeamHuman
***************************************************************
Lastly, we need to keep educating those we know on all of this, and we need to continue getting the word out to push for those in the White House and DC to not only be speaking to the CEOs of these AI companies, but to also speak to the HUMAN artists and creators whose intellectual property (IP) are propping up this entire new industry - they MUST be included on the decisions that are being made that directly affect them. It can't just be AI companies who get to weigh in on policy that affects their businesses and nobody speaks to the artists & creators whose livelihoods are greatly impacted by all of this, it’s entirely one sided. The people being harmed right now by these technologies also deserve to be heard.
And again, this is also another reason for people to sign our petition. We will continue to send out updates to those who’ve signed our petition on what's happening with the issue, when it's happening. We don’t spam you, we just send out relevant updates on advancements around the issue - not endless fundraising garbage.
So - can each of you signed, get just 10 of your friends to sign it too?
We have a quick custom link you can text or e-mail to your friends:
https://www.change.org/WhiteHouse_TalkToHumanArtists
It’s absolutely incredible the love and support you have shown for one another so far in getting us very close to our next MILESTONE of 20,000 signatures! But, if you haven’t already, and even if you have PLEASE SHARE OUR PETITION!
Yes, it will help us get more signatures, but it will also help us be able to get the word out quickly as developments on this rapidly changing issue emerge.
Thank you again for your support!