KUALA LUMPUR: Over 11,500 artistes, including musicians, actors, and authors, have signed a public statement opposing the unlicensed use of their works in training generative AI.
The statement, backed by high-profile names like ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, Radiohead, and The Cure's Robert Smith, as well as the three major record labels – Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group – calls for an end to unauthorised use of copyrighted content by AI companies.
According to Billboard, the brief yet impactful statement, posted on aitrainingstatement.org, read: "The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted."
This campaign was led by British composer Ed Newton-Rex, founder of the AI music company Jukedeck, who has extensive experience in both music and technology.
After Jukedeck was acquired by ByteDance, he went on to manage AI projects there before leaving to protest against the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.
Newton-Rex emphasized that the campaign, supported by several trade groups, has gained traction without needing external funding.
Concerns over how AI companies use copyrighted content have risen sharply, with lawsuits filed earlier this year by major labels against AI firms Suno and Udio for allegedly using protected material at scale.
In response to these challenges, creator groups in the U.K. are advocating for an "opt-in" system, which would allow creators to control whether their works are used by AI firms, rather than the "opt-out" approach currently under consideration by the government.
Meanwhile, tech companies like Google and Microsoft are urging the UK to adopt more lenient copyright rules to allow AI firms to use copyrighted content for data mining.
However, industry bodies like the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Association of Independent Music (AIM) stress the importance of strong copyright protections.
BPI's Sophie Jones noted that copyright is essential to maintaining the U.K.'s creative edge, while AIM's Gee Davy warned that easing protections could harm the creative industry's future.
This recent statement, along with other measures, highlights the growing divide between creators and AI developers.
Artistes and labels are increasingly vocal about ensuring AI companies do not exploit their work without fair compensation, as the battle over rights and technology unfolds.
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