Artists protest against AI use of their creative works

On October 23, a prominent protest surfaced within the global arts community as thousands of artists expressed their concerns regarding the use of their creative works for training artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This pushback against AI technology includes an array of influential figures from the music, literary, and acting industries, highlighting a growing unease about technological advancements and their potential implications for creative rights and incomes.

Notable signatories of the protest letter involve members from iconic music groups such as Abba, Radiohead, and The Cure. High-profile writers like Kazuo Ishiguro, a Nobel Prize laureate, have also lent their voices to this cause, alongside renowned actors represented by Julianne Moore. The artists’ collective grievance is centred on the “unauthorized use” of their works to train AI systems, which they argue poses a significant threat to their livelihoods.

The spotlight on this issue adds to ongoing legal battles concerning AI and intellectual property rights. Last year, the Authors Guild initiated a lawsuit targeting companies involved in the development of artificial intelligence, alleging infringement on creators’ rights. The case is currently advancing through a federal court in New York, potentially setting a precedent for how similar cases might be handled in the future.

Against this backdrop, major players in the music industry are exploring pathways to integrate AI technology ethically. Just days following the artists’ protest, Universal Music Group, one of the industry’s titans valued at $47 billion, announced a partnership with KLAY Vision Inc., an artificial intelligence company. Universal, which represents renowned artists such as Abba and The Cure, stated that the collaboration aims to develop an “ethical model” for AI-generated music. This model seeks to cooperate with both the music industry and creators to ensure that AI’s role complements rather than competes with human creativity.

The unfolding scenario underscores a pivotal moment in the intersection of art and technology. It opens up discussions regarding the balance between innovation and the protection of creative intellectual property, steering the future dynamics of the global arts scene and AI technology.

Source: Noah Wire Services