A coalition of artists and industry organisations warns of the threat posed by using their works without permission or compensation for generative AI training, highlighting the need for stronger regulations.
A coalition of prominent figures and organisations in the arts and entertainment industry has issued a stark warning against the unregulated use of creative works to train generative AI systems. This joint statement highlights the potential threat this practice poses to the livelihoods of artists and creators. The open letter was spearheaded by British composer and former AI executive Ed Newton-Rex and has gained significant traction, with over 30,000 supporters adding their signatures.
Noteworthy signatories of the statement include celebrated Scottish author Sir Ian Rankin, musician Robert Smith of The Cure, ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus, and distinguished actress Julianne Moore. Nobel laureate Sir Kazuo Ishiguro also lent his weight to the cause, alongside British figures like author Malorie Blackman and singer Billy Bragg. From the Hollywood sphere, actors such as Kevin Bacon, known for Footloose, Sean Astin from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Oscar recipient F Murray Abraham have voiced their support. Additionally, Barbie star Kate McKinnon and Melissa Joan Hart, famously known for her role in Sabrina The Teenage Witch, have endorsed the statement.
The letter criticises the current trend of using artists’ works without permission or compensation to train artificial intelligence technologies, highlighting this practise as a significant injustice. It specifically targets the use of generative AI, which is capable of producing entirely new content by synthesising existing data. The technology has gained widespread attention and excitement ever since the debut of ChatGPT in 2022, marking it as a pivotal innovation in the tech sector.
Key industry organisations have also joined forces in this initiative. Major players such as Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, HarperCollins Publishers, and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are backing the call for stricter regulation.
The call for action coincides with significant investments into the UK’s technological infrastructure, highlighted by recent announcements from the Government. These include plans by four U.S. firms to inject £6.3 billion into UK data centre infrastructure. Part of this investment is a £1.9 billion data centre projected by CloudHQ in Didcot, which is expected to generate over 1,500 jobs.
This investment wave underscores the growing influence and interest in the next generation of AI advancements. As such technologies expand, so does the dialogue about safeguarding the rights and livelihood of creative professionals, positioning this conversation as a critical focal point within both the technological and cultural landscapes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
