Cate Blanchett Fights AI for Creative Rights

Cate Blanchett has co-founded RSL Media, a new non-profit dedicated to establishing a human consent framework for artificial intelligence's use of creative work, name, image, and likeness. The initiative, supported by a prominent group of actors and industry organizations, addresses the rampant, unchecked use of human expression by AI systems.

RSL Media's core offering, the RSL Human Consent Standard, will launch as a free public registry in June 2026. This platform will enable individuals to declare their permissions regarding AI usage. The goal is to translate human consent into a signal that machines can interpret, ensuring creators retain control over their work.

Nikki Hexum, co-founder and CEO of RSL Media, emphasized that basic human rights should not be exclusive to those with legal or public platforms. The standard aims to provide a clear, accessible way for people to set terms for AI usage of their identity and creative works, facilitating responsible AI development and policy implementation.

Director Steven Soderbergh praised the solution as simple, transparent, and resistant to manipulation. Dame Emma Thompson highlighted the urgency, calling the initiative essential and doable. As of today, individuals can reserve a consent ID, and by June 2026, the public registry will allow users to verify their identity and set specific permissions for AI usage.