A coalition of nearly 40 British creative organisations, encompassing publishers, authors, and photographers, has called upon the government to take measures to safeguard copyright regulations in light of impending consultations concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and the creative sector. This coalition, known as the Creative Rights in AI Coalition, emphasises the necessity of establishing a licensing market to facilitate fair usage of creative content in the development of generative AI. They argue that such a framework is essential not only for equity but also for the growth and sustainability of both the creative and technology sectors.
The government is set to initiate a consultation into AI and creative industries on Tuesday, a process that has stirred controversy amid concerns that AI companies are appropriating a significant amount of the UK’s creative output without adequate compensation or acknowledgment. The coalition's statement highlights the economic significance of the creative industries to the UK, which generates over £100 billion annually. “We have, quite literally, earned the right to have our voice heard. The key to that success, and future growth, is copyright law,” the coalition remarked in their communication to the Financial Times.
Formed in response to the growing urgency for unified action, the coalition seeks to establish foundational principles to guide AI policy development. Chief among these principles are the creation of a licensing framework that protects copyright and grants content creators enhanced control and oversight over the utilisation of their work.
Significant players in the creative industry have joined the coalition, including the Daily Mail's parent company DMG, PRS for Music, the News Media Association, the Publishers Association, Associated Press, Society of Editors, Pan Macmillan, and the British Phonographic Industry, as well as Financial Times itself. The inclusion of these diverse organisations signifies a mounting consensus within the industry regarding the need for comprehensive copyright protections.
The process of text and data mining employed by generative AI systems, which involves the automated gathering and analysis of extensive online content, is integral to the advancement of AI technologies. Nonetheless, there is growing apprehension that forthcoming regulations may hinder copyright holders from negotiating agreements with AI companies for the use of their intellectual property. Accusations have surfaced claiming that AI firms have already harvested content from various creators without due consent, adding to industry trepidations regarding the balance of rights and technological progress.
Addressing these issues, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy recently informed a committee of MPs that the government's objective is to “get the balance right” between fostering technological innovations and safeguarding the rights of the creative industries.
Recent polling conducted by Reset Tech and YouGov indicates a strong public backing for increased transparency in how AI models are trained and the payment of royalties to creators by technology firms. This public sentiment may influence the outcome of the forthcoming consultations and the direction of AI policy in relation to the creative sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services