In a landmark move for digital rights, actress Cate Blanchett stood before the European Parliament in Brussels to launch a free website that empowers individuals to decide how artificial intelligence systems can use their name, face, and voice. The tool, called the Human Consent Registry, is the first public product from RSL Media, a nonprofit organization Blanchett co-founded earlier this year alongside Nikki Hexum, Doug Leeds, and Eckart Walther. The launch event, hosted by Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell of the European People’s Party, was also attended by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, signaling broad industry support for this initiative.
The core premise of the Human Consent Registry is disarmingly simple: treat your face, voice, and name as intellectual property that you can license or withhold. As Blanchett stated, "Your identity is your IP in the age of AI, and every person deserves the right to decide how AI can or cannot use it." The registry operates like a traffic light system. Users can grant full permission for AI to use their name, image, voice, likeness, and movement, allow it only under specific terms, or prohibit it outright. Registration is free for individuals acting on their own behalf, and the system also supports third parties such as agents, guilds, and managers who can route requests through an approved pathway. RSL Media has indicated that the registry will eventually extend to cover creative works, characters, and brands, broadening its scope beyond personal identity.
A Timely Response to Unchecked AI Development
The launch comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing debate over AI regulation and intellectual property rights. The European Parliament, where the registry was unveiled, is the very institution that shaped and adopted the EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence law. The choice of venue underscores the regulatory ambitions behind the tool. Blanchett has been vocal about the risks of unregulated AI for over a year. In March 2025, she joined Paul McCartney, Ben Stiller, and more than 400 artists in an open letter to the Trump administration, urging it not to roll back copyright protection. That letter directly challenged proposals from OpenAI and Google that argued US copyright law should allow AI companies to train on copyrighted works without permission or payment. The fight has only intensified since then, with the Biden administration and various state legislatures also grappling with AI regulation.
The grievance the registry addresses is no longer abstract. Days before the Brussels launch, singer SZA publicly criticized musicians who support what she called "this degenerate shit" after discovering that over 200 of her songs had been fed into AI training sets without her consent. Actor Matthew McConaughey has taken the property argument literally by trademarking his image, voice, and even his iconic catchphrase "alright, alright, alright." These examples highlight a growing demand for tools that give individuals agency over their digital identity.
How the Registry Works and Its Limitations
The Human Consent Registry is designed to provide a clear, machine-readable record of who has consented to what. Its premise is that AI developers currently lack a single, authoritative place to check for consent. By aggregating these permissions, the registry aims to fill that gap. However, the tool cannot yet compel anyone to honor it. The next critical question is whether companies will choose to look at the registry and respect the choices made by individuals. Without legal backing or industry-wide adoption, the registry's effectiveness will depend on voluntary compliance. RSL Media hopes that by making the registry free and easy to use, it will become a standard reference point for ethical AI development.
Blanchett’s involvement adds significant star power to the cause. The actress, known for her roles in Blue Jasmine, Carol, and The Lord of the Rings, has long been an advocate for artists' rights. RSL Media’s launch in May drew support from a roster of Hollywood heavyweights including Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, Helen Mirren, and Meryl Streep. At that time, Blanchett warned, "AI technologies are expanding rampantly, essentially unchecked and unregulated. In order for humans to remain in front of these technologies, consent must be the first consideration."
Broader Implications for AI and Intellectual Property
The Human Consent Registry is part of a larger movement to redefine property rights in the digital age. Traditional copyright law is being stretched to its limits by AI's ability to ingest vast amounts of data, including personal images and voices. The entertainment industry, in particular, has been roiled by disputes over the use of actors' likenesses without permission. For example, the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike briefly highlighted concerns over AI replicas of performers. Blanchett’s registry offers a practical, preemptive solution that could serve as a model for other sectors.
The tool also raises important questions about enforcement. Even if millions of people register their preferences, there is no guarantee that AI companies will comply. Some critics argue that voluntary registries are insufficient and that mandatory legislation is needed. However, Blanchett and RSL Media have positioned the registry as a first step—a way to establish a norm of consent that could eventually influence policy. MEP Eva Maydell described it as "a tool that makes rights transparent, scales trust, and keeps human creativity at the centre of technological progress."
As AI continues to evolve, the need for clear boundaries around personal data becomes ever more urgent. The Human Consent Registry represents a bold attempt to put control back in the hands of individuals. Whether it succeeds will depend on the willingness of tech companies to respect the choices made by millions of people, but for now, it offers a beacon of hope for those who fear losing their identity to the machine.
Source:TNW | Insider News