Creatives Warn Government Against AI-Driven Copyright Changes

Original British art and creative skills face serious threats due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the UK government's plans to relax copyright regulations. Many prominent figures in the cultural sector have raised alarms about this issue.

Over 2,000 cultural professionals, including respected names like Mark Haddon, Axel Scheffler, Benji Davies, and Michael Rosen, have united in a letter published in the Observer. They are urging the government to maintain legal protections that provide artists and writers with a chance for a sustainable income.

The Effects on Creativity

This urgent message highlights the upcoming impact of these changes on the literary field, following warnings from major music stars such as Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell regarding potential devastation to the music industry. John emphasized that such proposals would harm the creative community while benefiting powerful foreign technology firms.

The letter specifically criticizes a section of the upcoming AI Opportunity Action Plan that suggests eliminating copyright protections to enable extensive data-mining of artistic and literary works.

Concerns and Opinions

The signatories express astonishment at the government’s haste. They feel that Whitehall is ready to package their life’s work as a gift to automated competitors without considering the consequences. Children’s book author Ged Adamson vividly illustrates this idea by asking readers to consider asking an AI like ChatGPT to create artwork instead of encouraging a child's creativity.

Adamson expressed frustration, saying, "The thought makes me feel sick, angry, and depressed. Our hard work may only end up making tech billionaires richer." Fellow author Davies echoed similar sentiments, fearing that a vital part of the creative culture is being carelessly sold off without any real benefits for artists.

Jobs and Economic Contribution

The coalition behind this campaign emphasizes the importance of the creative economy, which supports around 2.4 million jobs and contributes over 5% to the nation's GDP, amounting to £124 billion. Adamson pointed out that improving the interests of AI developers over those of artists risks turning livelihoods into profit for tech giants.

Additionally, campaigners argue that AI lacks true innovation, as it merely remixes existing works. They urge that without immediate measures to safeguard human creativity and culture, society risks losing its essence.

The Risks of AI Dominance

Supporters like Susie Alegre highlight the danger of disregarding cultural heritage, stating that destruction of it is an international crime as it leads to a loss of humanity. Without artists and creatives, cultural heritage cannot thrive.

Chris Haughton, another signatory, clarified that their stance is not against technology, but rather against the exploitative nature of generative AI, which he argues equates to theft.

Voices for Diversity

Illustrators like Momoko Abe stressed that if AI takes over creative roles, representation of diverse voices in literature and art could regress, leaving minority creators sidelined.

Ciraolo, another advocate, warned that if protests against the governmental proposals are not voiced, the mistakes of the past with social media could likely repeat themselves. She argued that the proposed changes do not offer any significant advantages for the artistic community.

In conclusion, creatives worry that the shift towards AI-driven systems threatens not only their livelihoods but also the very fabric of cultural expression and identity.

creativity, copyright, AI, government, culture