Artists Unite Against AI Exploitation
In a significant move against the rising tide of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative industries, over 11,500 artists, including prominent figures like Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, and actress Julianne Moore, have signed a petition expressing their concerns regarding the unauthorized use of their works to train AI algorithms. The petition, which remains open for signatures, articulates that this practice poses a "major and unjust threat" to the livelihoods of artists.
The growing reliance on AI by Hollywood studios has raised alarms among artists. AI technologies are increasingly being used to resurrect deceased actors, create digital extras for films, and even assist in screenplay writing. This trend is mirrored in the music and literature sectors, where generative AI can produce songs and stories based on simple prompts. The petition was initiated by Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and former AI employee, who described the process as "dehumanizing" for artists, emphasizing that companies are utilizing copyrighted material without compensation to train their algorithms.
Legal and Legislative Responses
The issue of AI exploitation is not new; last year, notable authors including John Grisham and George R.R. Martin filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of "systematic theft on a grand scale". In California, several Hollywood stars, including Pedro Pascal and Jane Fonda, supported a bill aimed at regulating AI, although it was ultimately blocked by Governor Gavin Newsom. On a contrasting note, some industry figures have opted to collaborate with AI technologies. Recently, actor Casey Affleck partnered with Meta and Blumhouse to explore AI-generated film production, highlighting the divided opinions within the creative community regarding the future of AI in their industries.
