Creative professionals unite against AI misuse of artistic works

In a significant move highlighting rising tensions between the creative industry and emerging technology, actors, writers, musicians, and journalists have united to voice their concerns over the use of creative works in AI training. Among the high-profile figures are actor Kevin Bacon, Nobel laureate novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, The Cure’s musician Robert Smith, and journalist Sidney Blumenthal. These influential individuals are part of a broader group comprising 11,500 signatories who have taken a stand against what they describe as the “unlicensed” use of creative content for training AI models.

The petition argues that using creative works without permission for generative AI training represents a substantial threat to the livelihoods of artists and creators. According to the signatories, such practices jeopardize the value and integrity of original works and, as such, should be restricted.

The backdrop for this petition includes ongoing deliberations among lawmakers over the protection of data and creative content. Recent reports indicate that the UK government is contemplating an ‘opt-out’ framework for content that might be utilised in AI technology, suggesting an increasing awareness and potential regulation in favour of creators’ rights.

Ed Newton-Rex, a British composer and former executive at Stability AI, orchestrated the petition. Newton-Rex highlights significant anxiety within the creative community about AI companies’ approach to collected works, describing the use of the term “training data” as a diminution of the human effort and creativity involved in producing art and literature.

This initiative underscores a growing conflict between technological innovation and intellectual property rights. It reflects broader concerns regarding how AI technologies are developing and the ethical implications of their methodologies.

As discussions around the regulation of AI content scraping continue, the petitioners hope to influence policy in a way that protects creative professionals and preserves the integrity of the creative process. This development comes amid a global conversation about the balance between technological advancement and the protection of individual contributions in the digital age. The outcome of these discussions could have lasting implications for both creators and AI developers alike.

Source: Noah Wire Services