Harare, Zimbabwe – The Cinema Society of Zimbabwe (CSZ) proudly stands in solidarity with over 400 Hollywood luminaries, including Ben Stiller, Paul McCartney, Cate Blanchett, and Guillermo del Toro, in their resolute opposition to the unchecked exploitation of creative works by artificial intelligence (AI) corporations.
In a powerful open letter to the U.S. government, these artists have denounced proposals by Google and OpenAI to weaken copyright protections, which would allow AI companies to freely train their systems on copyrighted films, music, literature, and other creative works without permission or compensation. The CSZ echoes this stance unequivocally: AI must not be built on the theft of human creativity.
Why Zimbabwean Filmmakers Should Care
The issue is not confined to Hollywood. If AI corporations succeed in dismantling copyright protections in the U.S., the precedent will ripple across global creative industries—including Zimbabwe’s burgeoning film sector. Our stories, our artistry, and our economic livelihoods are at stake.
- AI’s Threat to African Creativity: Zimbabwean filmmakers, musicians, and writers risk having their work scraped, replicated, and monetized by AI without consent or compensation.
- Undermining Our Industry: AI-generated content could flood markets, devaluing authentic African narratives and displacing local talent.
- Economic & Cultural Exploitation: Just as Hollywood warns of $229 billion in wages and 2.3 million jobs at risk in the U.S., Zimbabwe’s creative economy—already fighting for sustainability—cannot afford to let tech giants erase the value of human artistry.
Our Position: No Free Ride for AI
The CSZ firmly rejects the argument that AI development justifies copyright erosion. We assert:
- Consent & Compensation: AI companies must seek licenses and pay fair royalties for any copyrighted material used in training datasets.
- Protection of Zimbabwean IP: We call on the Zimbabwean government and African Union to reinforce copyright laws that shield local creators from AI exploitation.
- Global Solidarity: This is not just a Hollywood fight—it’s a global creative workers’ movement. Zimbabwe’s voices belong in this conversation.
A Call to Action
The CSZ urges Zimbabwean filmmakers, musicians, writers, and policymakers to:
- Demand transparency from AI firms using African creative works.
- Support stronger IP laws that defend human-made art.
- Join international coalitions advocating for ethical AI practices.
As the Hollywood letter declares:
“America didn’t become a global cultural powerhouse by accident. Our success stems from respect for IP and copyright.”
Neither did Zimbabwe. Our stories—from Neria to Yellow Card—are our heritage and our future. We will not let Silicon Valley’s algorithms erase them.
#ProtectCreativity | #NoFreeAI | #ZimArtMatters
The Cinema Society of Zimbabwe is the nation’s premier film industry association, dedicated to advancing sustainable creative economies through advocacy, education, and excellence in storytelling.
Media Contact:
CSZ Communications
Email: partnership@zaftas.org | Phone: +263 719 127 936
