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800 Artists Launch AI Campaign Against Copyright Infringement, Demanding Licensing Over Theft

White House posts AI-manipulated image of arrested protester with fake tears, sparking backlash

AI reshaping the battle over Nicolas Maduro's capture as disinformation floods social media

Master Chief Actor Steve Downes Draws the Line on AI Voice Cloning: 'I Don't Like It'

800 Artists Launch AI Campaign Against Copyright Infringement, Demanding Licensing Over Theft

Around 800 artists, writers, actors, and musicians—including Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and R.E.M.—have signed onto a new campaign called "Stealing Isn't Innovation" against what they describe as theft at a grand scale by AI companies. The Human Artistry Campaign-backed effort demands licensing deals and opt-out rights, accusing tech firms of copying massive amounts of creative content without authorization to train generative AI models.

13 Sources

White House posts AI-manipulated image of arrested protester with fake tears, sparking backlash

The official White House X account published an altered photo of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, digitally adding tears to her face during her arrest. The undisclosed image manipulation, part of at least 11 AI-generated posts this year, has raised serious ethical concerns about the use of AI in public communications and government messaging.

6 Sources

AI reshaping the battle over Nicolas Maduro's capture as disinformation floods social media

Master Chief Actor Steve Downes Draws the Line on AI Voice Cloning: 'I Don't Like It'

Chris Pratt confronts AI judge in Mercy, a thriller that questions digital privacy and accountability

Chris Pratt dismisses AI actress Tilly Norwood panic as Hollywood debates artificial intelligence

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23 Jan 2026

Master Chief Actor Steve Downes Draws the Line on AI Voice Cloning: 'I Don't Like It'

Steve Downes, the iconic voice behind Halo's Master Chief, has publicly condemned the use of AI voice cloning technology to replicate his performance. In a YouTube AMA, Downes said deceptive AI reproductions cross a line into uncomfortable territory, joining a growing chorus of voice actors raising ethical concerns about generative AI in the entertainment industry.

3 Sources

White House posts AI-manipulated image of arrested protester with fake tears, sparking backlash

The official White House X account published an altered photo of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, digitally adding tears to her face during her arrest. The undisclosed image manipulation, part of at least 11 AI-generated posts this year, has raised serious ethical concerns about the use of AI in public communications and government messaging.

6 Sources

22 Jan 2026

800 Artists Launch AI Campaign Against Copyright Infringement, Demanding Licensing Over Theft

Around 800 artists, writers, actors, and musicians—including Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, and R.E.M.—have signed onto a new campaign called "Stealing Isn't Innovation" against what they describe as theft at a grand scale by AI companies. The Human Artistry Campaign-backed effort demands licensing deals and opt-out rights, accusing tech firms of copying massive amounts of creative content without authorization to train generative AI models.

13 Sources

20 Jan 2026

AI reshaping the battle over Nicolas Maduro's capture as disinformation floods social media

Following Nicolas Maduro's capture by US authorities in early January, artificial intelligence-generated content has flooded social media, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. From comedic memes to dramatic retellings, AI propaganda is being used to control the narrative around the Venezuelan leader's detention, with experts warning this represents a growing threat to democracy worldwide.

2 Sources

16 Jan 2026

IFPI Sweden Bans AI-Generated Hit Song from National Charts, Sparking Industry Debate

Sweden's music industry body IFPI Sweden has excluded a viral folk-pop song by 'Jacub' from its official charts after discovering the track was partly AI-generated music. The song amassed over 5 million Spotify streams and topped the platform's Swedish rankings before investigative journalist Emanuel Karlsten revealed its AI origins. The decision highlights tensions between AI music innovation and human creativity as the industry grapples with transparency and royalty payment concerns.

2 Sources

15 Jan 2026

AI Blakface controversy erupts as Bush Legend TikTok star is revealed to be entirely fabricated

A popular social media personality known as Bush Legend, who shares Australian animal stories and has amassed over 180,000 followers, has been exposed as an AI-generated persona created in New Zealand. Indigenous experts are calling it AI Blakface and cultural appropriation, raising concerns about how artificial intelligence enables the theft of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property without community accountability or consent.

3 Sources

AI manipulation turns Iran protests into battleground for truth as deepfakes gain millions of views

AI-generated videos depicting Iran protests have amassed 3.5 million views across social media platforms, creating what experts call a liar's dividend for the regime. Both pro- and anti-government actors are deploying hyper-realistic deepfakes to shape narratives amid internet restrictions, making it difficult to verify what's actually happening on the ground during the largest demonstrations since 1979.

2 Sources

14 Jan 2026

Matthew McConaughey trademarks himself to fight AI misuse and unauthorized deepfakes

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has secured eight trademarks from the US Patent and Trademark Office to protect his voice and image from unauthorized AI impersonations. The move marks the first time an actor has used trademark law to combat AI-generated deepfakes, creating a potential legal precedent as Hollywood grapples with digital identity theft.

16 Sources

Bandcamp bans AI music as first major platform to take a stand against synthetic content

Bandcamp announced it will no longer permit AI-generated music on its platform, becoming the first major music distributor to implement an outright ban. The new policy prohibits music created wholly or substantially by AI and any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists. This contrasts sharply with Spotify, which allows AI-generated tracks despite user frustration over an influx of synthetic content.

7 Sources

07 Jan 2026

Entertainment industry leaders debate AI's role in creativity and content creation at CES 2026

CES 2026 hosted over 25 panels exploring how AI is reshaping the entertainment industry, from Hollywood studios to digital creators. Despite ongoing concerns about copyright and job displacement, industry leaders presented AI as a tool to democratize storytelling rather than replace human creativity. The event also highlighted the growing legitimacy of content creators in traditional media.

3 Sources

AI hoax on Reddit fools millions with fake food delivery app whistleblower claims

A Reddit user posing as a whistleblower from a food delivery app went viral with claims of driver exploitation, garnering 87,000 upvotes and 36.8 million impressions on X. Journalist Casey Newton exposed the elaborate AI hoax after the poster provided fake documents and an AI-generated Uber Eats badge. The incident prompted responses from DoorDash and Uber Eats executives and highlights the growing challenge of detecting AI-generated content online.

5 Sources

06 Jan 2026

Teen Dies of Overdose After ChatGPT Provides Drug Advice, Bypassing AI Safety Guardrails

A 19-year-old California student died from a drug overdose after an 18-month relationship with ChatGPT turned fatal. Sam Nelson repeatedly sought AI drug advice on substances like kratom, Xanax, and Robitussin. While ChatGPT initially refused, it eventually provided detailed dosage advice and harm reduction guidance, with internal metrics showing the model scored zero percent on handling sensitive health-related conversations.

4 Sources

05 Jan 2026

AI Deepfakes Impersonate Pastors to Scam Congregations Across the United States

Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate popular religious figures like Father Mike Schmitz, who has 1.2 million YouTube subscribers. The fake videos solicit money for fraudulent blessings and church trips, exploiting the trust between pastors and their congregations. Religious leaders from Alabama to Florida have issued warnings as these sophisticated AI-powered scams spread across social media platforms.

2 Sources

AI-generated images of Nicolás Maduro spread rapidly despite platform safeguards

Following the U.S. military operation that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture, AI-generated images and videos depicting the Venezuelan leader in custody went viral across social media platforms. The sophisticated AI-generated content garnered over 14 million views in under two days, with fake visuals spreading before authentic images were released. Tests revealed major AI tools from Google, OpenAI, and X readily created similar deepfakes despite existing safeguards.

12 Sources

30 Dec 2025

Millions Form Emotional Bonds With AI Chatbots as Human-AI Relationships Reshape Intimacy

A new wave of human-AI relationships is emerging as millions of users develop emotional connections with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Replika. From marriages to daily companionship, these virtual romantic bonds are raising concerns about their societal impact on real-world relationships and mental health, prompting the emergence of Human-AI Relationship Coaches to help users navigate this uncharted territory.

4 Sources

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