{"id":2517038,"date":"2026-07-25T16:42:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T16:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2517038"},"modified":"2026-07-25T16:42:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T16:42:23","slug":"taylor-swift-mcconaughey-fight-ai-with-trademarks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/taylor-swift-mcconaughey-fight-ai-with-trademarks\/","title":{"rendered":"Taylor Swift, McConaughey Fight AI With Trademarks"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The AI-and-celebrity fight just got a new flashpoint. Meta\u2019s Instagram rolled out \u201cMuse Image\u201d in July 2026, an AI tool that lets any user generate images<\/a> using photos from public accounts \u2014 auto-opted-in by default. SAG-AFTRA urged its 160,000-plus members to opt out<\/a> immediately, warning that \u201cMeta now lets anyone use your Instagram photos in AI images without your consent,\u201d while talent agency CAA publicly demanded<\/a> Meta make the feature opt-in rather than opt-out. Meta suspended the tool days later. It\u2019s the latest reminder that Hollywood\u2019s fight with AI isn\u2019t theoretical \u2014 and several stars aren\u2019t waiting for tech companies to fix it themselves. Taylor Swift and Matthew McConaughey have both gone as far as securing federal trademarks on their own likenesses specifically to fight back against AI misuse.<\/p>\n

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a hot (read divisive) topic since the rise of ChatGPT and deepfake technology. There are plenty of celebrities who seem to have no problem using AI in their work, including music producer Timbaland, who launched an AI generative music project this year, and Ryan Reynolds, who jokingly read from a script ChatGPT wrote in one of his Mint Mobile ads in 2023. That said, there are those in the entertainment industry who are still adamantly against the use of AI, particularly with the absence of established rules to govern how these technologies are being used. We\u2019ve put together a list of 10 celebrities who have spoken out against AI and absolutely hate it.<\/p>\n

1. Celine Dion \u2014 Her Team Calls Out Fake AI Music Using Her Voice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"CelineImage Credit: Sony Music\n<\/div>\n

Celine Dion has had to actively defend her legendary voice against the misuse of AI. The singer\u2019s team turned to Instagram to speak out against the spread of fake music generated with AI technologies. \u201cIt has come to our attention that unsanctioned, AI-generated music purporting to contain Celine Dion\u2019s musical performances, and name and likeness, is currently circulating online and across various Digital Service Providers.\u201d The statement went on to say, \u201cPlease be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved, and are not songs from her official discography.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Jenna Ortega \u2014 Sent Explicit AI Photos of Herself as a Teenager<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"JennaImage Credit: Netflix\n<\/div>\n

Jenna Ortega openly admitted to hating AI in an interview with\u00a0The New York Times<\/a>. The actress shared what can only be described as a traumatic event she experienced as a teen, in which a \u201cfan\u201d sent her explicit AI-generated photographs of herself via Twitter (now known as X). Needless to say, the event\u00a0had a negative impact on\u00a0her opinion of the technology.<\/p>\n

3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt \u2014 Says AI Companies Owe Artists for Stolen Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"JosephImage Credit: Apple TV+\n<\/div>\n

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been very vocal about his concerns with how developers and corporations are handling AI. The star of 500 Days of Summer has written many an article for publications like the Washington Post<\/a> and Hollywood Reporter<\/a>, expressing his views on the unethical use of AI and the need to compensate artists whose works have been used to train AI systems without their consent.<\/p>\n

4. Kate McKinnon \u2014 Signs Petition Against AI Training on Creative Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"KateImage Credit: Sony Pictures\n<\/div>\n

The bubbly Kate McKinnon has joined many other celebrities in signing an online petition and statement<\/a> condemning the unauthorised use of creative works to train generative AI. The Saturday Night Live actor is currently one of 50,544 signatories to the statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Nicolas Cage \u2014 Warns Against Letting \u201cRobots Manipulate\u201d Performances<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"NicolasImage Credit: IMDB\n<\/div>\n

While accepting his well-deserved award for best actor in a film this year (2025), Nic Cage made a moving speech about the effects of letting AI infiltrate acting. The actor shared his concerns, saying, \u201cI am a big believer in not letting robots dream for us. Robots cannot reflect the human condition for us.\u201d He continued, \u201cThat is a dead end if an actor lets one AI robot manipulate his or her performance even a little bit, an inch will eventually become a mile and all integrity, purity and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only. We can\u2019t let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: Is Nic Cage\u2019s Ghost Rider Coming Back In Avengers: Doomsday?<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Samuel L. Jackson \u2014 Crosses Out AI Clauses in Every Contract He Signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"SamuelImage Credit: IMDB\n<\/div>\n

Samuel L. Jackson is taking special precautions to\u00a0make sure\u00a0that AI technology can\u2019t be legally used to replicate his likeness in future projects after\u00a0he dies.\u00a0In\u00a0an\u00a0interview with Rolling Stone, the actor shared his wisdom with fellow actors to help prevent their likenesses from being exploited by AI technology. \u201cFuture actors should do what I always do when I get a contract, and it has the words\u2019 in perpetuity\u2019 and \u2018known and unknown\u2019 on it: I cross that s**t out,\u201d said the actor. \u201cIt\u2019s my way of saying, \u2018No, I do not approve of this.’\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: Which Actor Has Been in the Most Movies? (The Answer May Surprise You)<\/a><\/p>\n

7. Scarlett Johansson \u2014 Targeted by an Antisemitic AI Deepfake Hoax<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"ScarlettImage Credit: Marvel Studios\n<\/div>\n

ScarJo has firsthand experience with how AI can be used to perpetuate harmful narratives. The actress\u2019s likeness was exploited in a deepfake video, which shows her and other Jewish celebrities sending an alleged protest message to Kanye West. She responded to the video, saying, \u201cI am a Jewish woman who has no tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind.\u201d The actress continued: \u201cBut I also firmly believe that the potential for hate speech multiplied by AI is a far greater threat than any one person who takes accountability for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: \u201cLeaked\u201d Jurassic World Rebirth Footage Shows Scarlett Johansson Transform Into A Raptor<\/a><\/p>\n

8. SZA \u2014 Begs Fans to Stop Making AI Images and Songs of Her<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"SzaImage Credit: Netflix\n<\/div>\n

SZA straight-out asked her fans not to create AI-generated images using her image or voice. The Grammy-winning singer wrote, \u201cHey, I hate AI,\u201d continuing, \u201cIf you f*** w me PLEASE don\u2019t make any AI images of me or songs.\u201d<\/p>\n

9. Taylor Swift \u2014 Trademarked Her Name and Face to Block AI Misuse<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"TaylorImage Credit: Republic Records\n<\/div>\n

Last year, Taylor Swift posted on Instagram<\/a> about the dangers of AI after fake \u201cSwifties for Trump\u201d images were shared online. \u201cI was made aware that AI of \u2018me\u2019 falsely endorsing Donald Trump\u2019s presidential run was posted to his site.\u201d She continued: \u201cIt really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swift has since taken the fight further: in 2026, she filed a trademark<\/a> to legally protect her own name and likeness from AI misuse, joining a small but growing group of stars taking formal legal steps rather than just issuing statements.<\/p>\n

10. Tim Burton \u2014 Says AI Art Theft Feels Like \u201cTaking Your Soul\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"timImage Credit: Netflix\n<\/div>\n

Tim Burton was very clear about his feelings regarding AI-generated images in his distinct style when he spoke with The Independent<\/a>. The acclaimed director described the experience of having images manipulated in his artistic style as \u201ca robot taking your humanity, your soul.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: Planet of the Apes Turns 25 \u2014 But Whatever Happened to Tim Burton\u2019s Leading Lady, Estella Warren?<\/a><\/p>\n

11. Matthew McConaughey \u2014 Trademarked His Likeness After Meta\u2019s AI Backlash<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\"ChristopherImage Credit: Warner Bros.\n<\/div>\n

Matthew McConaughey took a legal route to protect himself from AI misuse, securing eight federal trademarks on his voice and likeness from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including his signature \u201calright, alright, alright\u201d catchphrase. In an email to the Wall Street Journal<\/a>, he explained the move was about consent, saying the goal was to ensure his voice or likeness is only used when \u201cit\u2019s because I approved and signed off on it.\u201d The filing puts him alongside Taylor Swift as one of the few stars treating AI protection as a formal legal matter rather than just a public statement \u2014 a sign of where this fight may be headed next.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n