Tech giants stealing Hollywood's heart? Ben Stiller, Cate Blanchett, and 400 stars complain about 'creative theft' by AI

Hundreds of Hollywood stars, including Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett, have signed an open letter urging Donald Trump’s White House to protect film, TV, and music copyrights from exploitation by big tech and artificial intelligence (AI). Over 400 actors, directors, and artists have united to challenge tech giants like Google and OpenAI, who argue that their AI models need access to a vast range of copyrighted content to keep up with Chinese competitors.

The letter strongly criticised the idea of "weakening copyright protections" and accused tech companies of trying to "exploit America's creative and knowledge industries." It emphasised that such moves would threaten the "world's most vibrant creative economy." The US entertainment industry is said to support over 2.3 million jobs, generating about $230 billion in annual wages. The letter also highlighted that this industry serves as the foundation for "American democratic influence and soft power abroad."

Japanese Lawmaker Criticises New ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Game

Ubisoft’s upcoming game Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, set to be released on Thursday, has faced criticism in Japan. A Japanese lawmaker has expressed concern over a scene where a samurai character damages the interior of a Shinto shrine. The game, inspired by 16th-century feudal Japan and historical events, features a black samurai named Yasuke as one of the two playable protagonists.


The portrayal has sparked heated debate online, with some questioning its historical accuracy. A petition against this depiction has gathered over 100,000 signatures from people who believe it misrepresents their cultural heritage.

Vietnam Pulls Popular Dolls over Controversial Map Mark

Tensions over the South China Sea have led to an unexpected ban on popular dolls in Vietnam. The China-made “Baby Three dolls,” which had become a hit among Vietnamese children, were pulled from shelves due to a facial mark on the “Town Rabbit V2” model. This mark was believed to resemble China’s controversial “nine-dash line,” which claims significant parts of the South China Sea.

Following an online backlash, many Vietnamese children began boycotting the dolls, considering them unpatriotic. A vendor shared, “Almost all kids have started to boycott the dolls because they see it as a nationalistic issue.”

Inputs from TOI