Nearly 20 Portuguese artists have joined a broad European movement demanding strict EU regulation of artificial intelligence and copyright protection, warning against “vampires” that mimic human emotion.
Article contents:
- Introduction: a cry for culture
- #StayTrueToTheAct campaign: what are the artists’ demands?
- A voice from Portugal: “The creative act is a human act”
- Fears of weakening the law
- A growing global movement
- Conclusion: the future of creativity is at stake
Introduction: a cry for culture
“Stay true to culture.” This is the challenge posed by a new international initiative uniting about 30 European musicians, including 17 prominent Portuguese artists, in a joint call for AI regulation and copyright protection. Entitled #StayTrueToTheAct, the campaign seeks to raise awareness among European policymakers about the “urgent necessity to ensure that artificial intelligence systems respect intellectual property rules.”
#StayTrueToTheAct campaign: what are the artists’ demands?
The movement relies on the creation and distribution of video messages by musicians across Europe, calling on the European Commission to enact legislation holding AI companies accountable for how they use copyrighted material to train their models. These artists argue that the “European Union must guarantee an ecosystem where technological innovation and the creative market can thrive in balance.”
The core demands are transparency and consent. Artists want AI companies to disclose the content used to train their models and demand the right to approve or refuse the use of their work in this process.
A voice from Portugal: “The creative act is a human act”
Among the signatories to the movement are prominent Portuguese names such as Pedro Abrunhosa, who filmed a video explaining the need to protect artists against the unchecked evolution of this technology. Abrunhosa said in poignant words: “The creative act is perhaps the most human of acts. It relies on experience, touch, proximity, intuition, fear, all emotions, all sensations, but above all it is a salvation from the darkness and hell that life often imposes.”
He added firmly: “Generative AI is not allowed to absorb these emotions like a ‘vampire’ and mimic, like a ‘parrot’, a blend of deep human emotions and make them its own, as if it had created them itself. I do not permit the use of my music and image to train the generative AI parrot, and I therefore call on the European Commission to respect human dignity and culture and to enforce the Artificial Intelligence Act, which has already been unanimously approved.”
Fears of weakening the law
In June 2024, the European Union adopted the world’s first rules on artificial intelligence, setting various transparency requirements for generative AI, including the disclosure of content used to train the models in question. However, artists explain that the bloc is now working to put the law into effect, running the risk of “diluting the legislation by failing to hold AI companies accountable.” The European artists’ appeal is for the European Commission to adhere to the originally enacted law and defend their rights.
A growing global movement
This campaign is not isolated. It is part of a growing global movement by creators demanding better protections in the age of artificial intelligence. Previously, more than 400 artists sent a letter to President Trump regarding the exploitation of AI, and musicians released a silent album to protest AI copyright proposals in the United Kingdom. The world’s major record labels have also filed lawsuits against AI song generators.
Conclusion: the future of creativity is at stake
The #StayTrueToTheAct campaign represents a pivotal moment in the debate over artificial intelligence and creativity. It frames the issue in ethical and human terms, rather than merely technical or legal ones. Artists argue that the essence of human creativity—derived from experience, emotion, pain, and joy—cannot be replicated or “absorbed” by an algorithm. Their call to the European Commission is an appeal to defend not only their livelihoods, but the value of human culture itself in the face of an uncertain future.
Frequently asked questions
What is the European Artificial Intelligence Act?
It is the world’s first comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence. The law classifies AI applications based on risk level and imposes various requirements for each category, including transparency requirements for generative AI models.
Why are artists worried about AI training on their work?
They are worried because AI models learn by analyzing vast amounts of data, including copyrighted music, images, and text. The models can then generate new works in the “style” of the original artists, potentially devaluing their work and competing with them without compensation.
Can any artist join the campaign?
Yes, the movement remains open to all European artists who wish to join and give a voice to this cause.
