Over 200 artists sign letter warning AI poses existential threat by training on their work without permission

Over 200 artists including Billie Eilish and Pearl Jam signed a letter stating AI poses an "existential threat" to artists by replacing them with AI-generated content.

The letter alleges big tech companies are training AI models on copyrighted music without artists' permission.

Artists argue unchecked AI could "set in motion a race to the bottom" by devaluing their work and decreasing royalties.

The letter calls on AI developers and tech companies to pledge not to replace human artists with AI or deny them fair compensation.

Commentators state previous creative industry protests against new technologies have been ineffective in stopping advancement.