Featured Articles
Reel AI: Erik Barmack’s biweekly article for The Ankler
Why Did Ben Affleck Start an AI Company in Secret?
Erik Barmack’s Reel AI Column from The Ankler
INTRO TO AI
Quick Explainers on Basic AI Terms and Tools
ALL ARTICLES
How Hollywood Choked Sora 2’s Rise
ByteDance’s AI reconnaissance strike and the four strategic choices now facing the studios before the next attack
SAG-AFTRA Tightens the Rules on AI Voice Replication
The union’s February guidance shows where the next labor fight is heading
Hollywood’s “Stealing Isn’t Innovation” Moment
Why a new artist coalition is forcing AI training out of the shadows
Hollywood’s First Real AI Credit Fight
Why a quiet end-title dispute matters more than any demo
8 AI Companies Doing This the Right Way (and Won’t Get You Sued)
My picks for Hollywood to get behind in 2026 as Big Tech’s shortcuts catch up
Taylor Swift and the New Rules of AI Enforcement
Why celebrity power, not law, is shaping how platforms police synthetic likeness
5 Burning Questions Hollywood Should Ask After Trump’s AI Executive Order
From guilds to Gavin Newsom: what studios and creatives need to reckon with now
Scarlett Johansson and the Line Hollywood Refuses to Cross
Why one voice dispute quietly reset AI risk tolerance across studios
Google’s Veo Moves Quietly Into Hollywood (Copy)
Why sound has become the industry’s first AI compromise
Akshay Kumar Files Suit to Protect His Likeness as Bollywood Confronts the AI Era
Akshay Kumar moves to court to protect his personality rights
Zelda Williams Blasts AI Videos of Robin Williams as “Disgusting, Over-Processed Hotdogs”
The actor-director says viral deepfakes mimicking her late father exploit grief and artistry, reigniting Hollywood’s fight over posthumous likeness rights.
Matthew Lawrence Proposes AI Revival of Robin Williams’ Voice—Daughter Objects
Matthew Lawrence, who starred alongside Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, suggests resurrecting Williams’ iconic voice via AI for assistance technology, sparking heated debate over consent and posthumous portrayal.
Disney and Universal Take a Hard Line Against AI Image Generation Firms
Disney and Universal claim Midjourney’s AI has reproduced iconic characters without permission, marking a turning point in entertainment’s legal strategy against unsanctioned AI use.
Billie Eilish Addresses AI-Generated Met Gala Images
Billie Eilish clarifies that she was not present at the 2025 Met Gala, denouncing AI-generated images that falsely depicted her at the event and highlighting concerns over digital misinformation.
Deepfake Scams Exploit Celebrity Likenesses to Defraud Fans
Advancements in AI technology have led to a surge in deepfake scams, with fraudsters impersonating celebrities to deceive and exploit fans—highlighting urgent concerns around trust, regulation, and digital identity.
Robert Downey Jr. Warns Studios Against Unauthorized AI Likeness Use
The Marvel star says he’s ready to sue any studio or executive that uses his AI likeness without consent, joining a growing chorus of actors pushing back on digital replicas.
OpenAI Faces Consolidated Copyright Lawsuits from Authors and Media
Multiple copyright infringement lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft, filed by authors and The New York Times, have been consolidated in Manhattan federal court, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted materials to train AI systems
U.S. Copyright Office Clarifies Stance on AI-Generated Works
The U.S. Copyright Office's recent report emphasizes that human authorship is essential for copyright protection, outlining conditions under which AI-assisted works may qualify, and highlighting the adaptability of current laws to AI advancements
Governor Newsom Vetoes AI Safety Bill
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a proposed bill meant to implement safety protocols for AI models, disappointing Hollywood talent and AI critics.
George Carlin’s Estate Sues AI-Generated Comedy Special
The estate of late comedian George Carlin has sued the creators of an AI-generated special with unauthorized use of Carlin’s work and likeness.