The New York Authors Guild was recently spurred into action by a major advance in the field of generative AI. Nearly 8,000 authors have signed a powerful open letter calling on key organizations in the AI sector, including OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and others, to implement new policies around copyrighted work.
The authors make a strong case that organizations involved in generative AI should seek the explicit permission of artists before using their copyrighted work as training data for AI models. The authors are also adamant about the need for fair financial compensation and recognition of the fundamental value of their creative efforts.
According to these authors, the current ability of AI to produce a wide range of articles is primarily supported by their literary achievements. They claim that AI companies rely heavily on the work of writers to train their models, enabling AI to “emulate human language, including writing, narrative, style, and inventive concepts” when producing articles. However, the authors claim that this vast body of copyrighted content is being used “without paying the original authors a penny”, which they see as an inherently unfair scenario.
Their main request is that the powerful CEOs of these AI companies – people like Sam Altman of OpenAI, Sundar Pichai of Alphabet, and Mark Zuckerberg of Meta – set aside some of the billions they have invested in AI technology to ensure that authors are fairly compensated for their intellectual labor. The authors sincerely believe that without the diverse and comprehensive training materials provided by authors, AI would lack the cutting-edge capabilities it currently demonstrates.
Writers are also concerned about the potential impact of a market-wide AI-driven flood of books, stories, and news that directly threatens their livelihoods. The average annual salary for authors has fallen to just $23,000 over the past decade, a staggering 40% drop. The development of AI is exacerbating these problems, making it harder for these writers to support themselves while pursuing their passion for storytelling.
The AI industry is at a crossroads as a result of these demands and their wider implications. An in-depth conversation between AI companies, authors, and regulators will be necessary to strike a balance between the rapid growth of AI technology and the preservation of creative careers. As the symbiotic relationship between creative minds and AI continues to influence the landscape of invention and expression in an increasingly connected world, striking a fair balance is crucial.
