UK creatives back proposed AI training laws
A coalition of UK musicians, artists, and writers has voiced support for new legislation to regulate how AI systems are trained on creative works. The backing comes amid growing concerns over unauthorized use of copyrighted material in AI development. The proposal, outlined by a prominent law professor, aims to balance innovation with creators' rights.
In a recent development, over 200 UK-based creatives have endorsed a legal framework proposed by Professor Lionel Bently of the University of Cambridge to govern AI training practices. The initiative seeks to ensure that AI companies obtain permissions or provide compensation when using copyrighted content for training large language models and generative tools.
The support was announced on October 10, 2023, through an open letter coordinated by the Creators' Rights Alliance. Signatories include notable figures such as musician Ed Sheeran and author Philip Pullman, who emphasized the need for ethical AI integration in the creative industries. 'AI has the potential to revolutionize creativity, but only if it respects the foundational works of human artists,' Pullman stated in the letter.
Professor Bently's proposal, detailed in a white paper published last month, advocates for an 'opt-in' system where creators can control how their works are used in AI datasets. It also calls for transparency requirements, mandating AI developers to disclose training data sources. This comes against the backdrop of high-profile lawsuits, such as those filed by visual artists against Stability AI in the US, highlighting global tensions over AI's reliance on scraped internet content.
Proponents argue that such laws would protect livelihoods in the UK's £100 billion creative sector, which employs over 2 million people. However, tech industry groups like the AI Alliance have cautioned that overly restrictive rules could stifle innovation and slow down AI advancements beneficial to all sectors. Bently counters that the framework includes provisions for fair use in research, aiming for a balanced approach.
The endorsement has prompted discussions in Westminster, with Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer indicating government interest in consulting stakeholders before year's end. If enacted, the laws could set a precedent for Europe-wide regulations under the upcoming AI Act.