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Asking AI's view on the arguments of thousands of writers, UK Music and Universal Music Group

ChatGPT-4: Yes, these arguments do hold up. Copyright laws are designed to protect the rights of creators, and using someone's work without permission can be seen as a violation of these rights

July 18, 2023

ChatGPT-4’s answer:Used ChatWithPDFUsed World News

Here are the main arguments put forward by the three sources:

  1. NPR Article: Thousands of authors have signed an open letter urging AI companies to stop using their work without permission. The authors argue that AI models trained on their books are creating derivative works without their consent, which they believe is a violation of their copyright. They are calling for AI companies to seek explicit permission before using their works for training AI models.

  2. Jeff Harleston's Testimony: The testimony emphasizes the importance of respecting copyright laws when using AI. Harleston argues that AI can be a wonderful tool for creativity, but it should not use or appropriate artists' work without authorization. He also suggests that AI companies should be required to keep records of the data they use for training their models, and that AI-generated content should be clearly labeled as such. He also argues for the creation of a federal Right of Publicity statute to protect artists' rights.

  3. UK Music Policy Position Paper: The paper argues that while AI can be a useful tool for musicians, it's important to protect the sanctity of human creativity and the personality of human creators. It proposes five key principles for regulating AI: creators' choice, record keeping, no copyright without human creativity, labeling of AI-generated music, and protection of personality rights. The paper also calls for a new personality right to protect the personality/image of songwriters and artists.

Do these arguments hold up?

Yes, these arguments do hold up from a legal and ethical perspective. Copyright laws are designed to protect the rights of creators, and using someone's work without permission can be seen as a violation of these rights. The argument for record keeping is also valid, as it would provide transparency and accountability in how AI models are trained. The call for clear labeling of AI-generated content is also reasonable, as it would help consumers make informed decisions about the content they consume.

How should AI makers respond to these arguments?

AI makers should take these arguments seriously and take steps to ensure they are respecting copyright laws and the rights of creators. This could involve seeking explicit permission before using someone's work to train an AI model, keeping detailed records of the data used for training, and clearly labeling AI-generated content. They should also consider the ethical implications of their work and strive to develop AI in a way that respects and protects human creativity.

Google Bard’s answer:Sure, I can help you with that.

In the articles you linked, there are several arguments put forward by authors and music creators who are concerned about the use of their work by AI companies without permission. These arguments include:

  • Copyright infringement: AI companies that use copyrighted works without permission are infringing on the rights of the copyright holders. This could include using works to train AI models, to generate new creative content, or to sell products or services.

  • Loss of revenue: Authors and music creators argue that the use of their work by AI companies could lead to a loss of revenue. This is because AI models could be used to create new content that competes with the original work, or to generate derivative works that are sold without the permission of the copyright holder.

  • Damage to reputation: Authors and music creators also argue that the use of their work by AI companies could damage their reputation. This is because AI models could be used to create content that is offensive or harmful, or that is simply not of the same quality as the original work.

These arguments are valid and should be taken seriously by AI makers. However, it is important to note that there are also some potential benefits to the use of AI for creative purposes. For example, AI could be used to help authors and musicians to be more productive, to reach new audiences, and to experiment with new forms of expression.

AI makers should respond to these arguments by being transparent about how they use copyrighted works, by seeking permission from copyright holders whenever possible, and by compensating copyright holders for the use of their work. AI makers should also work to ensure that the use of AI for creative purposes does not harm the reputation of authors and music creators.

Here are some specific steps that AI makers can take to address the concerns of authors and music creators:

  • Develop clear policies and procedures for the use of copyrighted works. These policies should be made publicly available so that copyright holders know how their work may be used by AI companies.

  • Seek permission from copyright holders whenever possible. This is especially important for works that are likely to be used in a commercial setting.

  • Compensation copyright holders for the use of their work. This could be done through a variety of mechanisms, such as licensing fees, royalties, or revenue sharing.

  • Work to ensure that the use of AI for creative purposes does not harm the reputation of authors and music creators. This could be done by providing clear attribution for the use of copyrighted works, and by avoiding the use of AI to create content that is offensive or harmful.

By taking these steps, AI makers can help to ensure that the use of AI for creative purposes is fair and equitable for all stakeholders.

Bing Chat’s answer:Thank you for your question. I have read the three articles you provided and I will try to summarize the main arguments put forward by the authors, as well as evaluate their validity and implications for AI makers.

The first article1 reports on a letter signed by thousands of authors who urge AI companies to stop using their work without permission to train natural language generation models. The authors claim that this practice violates their moral and economic rights, and that they should be compensated for the use of their work. They also argue that AI-generated texts pose a threat to the quality and diversity of literature, as well as the credibility and trustworthiness of information.

The second article2 is a testimony by a music industry executive who advocates for stronger protection of music creators’ rights in the face of AI technologies. He argues that AI poses a challenge to the existing legal framework of music licensing, as it blurs the lines between human and machine authorship, originality and derivation, and fair use and infringement. He also warns that AI could undermine the value and integrity of music, as well as the livelihoods and careers of music creators.

The third article3 is a policy position paper by UK Music, a trade body that represents the UK music industry. It outlines the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for the music sector, and proposes some recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. It argues that AI can enhance creativity, innovation, and diversity in music, as well as improve access, education, and engagement for music consumers. However, it also acknowledges that AI raises ethical, legal, and social issues that need to be addressed, such as data protection, intellectual property, transparency, accountability, and human dignity.

Based on these articles, I can identify some common themes and arguments that are relevant for AI makers:

  • AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and innovation, but it also poses risks and challenges for the quality, diversity, and authenticity of human expression.

  • AI can have positive or negative impacts on the economic and social value of creative works, depending on how it is used and regulated.

  • AI can create new forms of authorship and ownership, but it also raises questions about the definition and scope of intellectual property rights and responsibilities.

  • AI can enable new modes of access and distribution of creative works, but it also requires respect for the consent and preferences of the original creators and consumers.

  • AI can benefit from the use of existing creative works as data sources, but it also needs to ensure fair compensation and recognition for the use of such works.

These arguments are not necessarily conclusive or consistent, as they may depend on different perspectives, contexts, and interests. However, they do highlight some important issues that AI makers should consider when developing and deploying generative AI systems. Some possible ways to respond to these arguments are:

  • To engage in dialogue and collaboration with the creative communities and stakeholders affected by AI technologies, and to seek their input and feedback on how to design and use AI systems in a respectful and responsible manner.

  • To adopt ethical principles and best practices for AI development and use, such as transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy, security, diversity, inclusion, and human oversight.

  • To comply with the relevant laws and regulations governing intellectual property rights and data protection in different jurisdictions, and to seek legal advice when in doubt or dispute.

  • To support research and innovation in AI technologies that can enhance human creativity and expression, rather than replace or replicate it.

  • To educate users and consumers about the capabilities and limitations of AI systems, as well as their rights and responsibilities when using or interacting with them.

I hope this answer helps you understand some of the arguments put forward by the authors of the articles you provided. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to ask me. 😊

Claude’s answer:Here is a summary of the key arguments from the three sources you provided:

The NPR article discusses how thousands of authors signed an open letter urging AI companies like Anthropic, Google, Microsoft and others to stop training their systems on copyrighted books and articles without permission. They argue this violates copyright and consent, and can lead to harmful impacts on authors' incomes and livelihoods.

The Senate testimony from author [sic] Jennifer [sic] Harleston argues AI training on copyrighted books [sic] without consent threatens the economic incentives that enable book creation. She [sic] says current US copyright law does not sufficiently protect authors [sic] from these impacts.

The UK Music policy paper argues AI companies should get explicit licenses from rightsholders before using copyrighted works for training. They say current exceptions like fair use do not sufficiently cover AI training uses.

Overall, the core argument is that training AIs on copyrighted books and articles without licenses from rightsholders violates copyright and consent. This could negatively impact creative professionals. They urge AI companies to seek explicit permissions and licenses before using copyrighted works for training.

In response, AI companies would likely argue that training on copyrighted material can fall under fair use exceptions, as it creates new systems with transformative purposes. They may also claim it is infeasible to get licenses for the massive datasets needed. However, they should thoughtfully consider these concerns and balance enabling AI progress with appropriately respecting copyright and consent. Potential responses could be exploring approaches to provide attribution, offer opt-out mechanisms, or provide licensing revenue shares where feasible. This is a complex issue with merits on both sides to thoughtfully work through.

Photo by Conny Schneider on Unsplash