news AI plans could undermine copyright control


THE UNION has warned that the government’s plans to develop the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across industry and public services must not come at the expense of members who could find their work taken and copyright ignored. The UK government is promoting its AI Opportunities Action Plan as a flagship initiative to “capture the opportunities of AI to enhance growth and productivity”. The plan, devised by Matt Clifford, an entrepreneur who is


also the prime minister’s adviser on AI, makes several recommendations, including that the government should “reform the UK text and data mining regime so that it is at least as competitive as the EU”. The NUJ has called for greater enforcement of UK copyright


law, opposing an exception that would permit AI developers access to the copyright-protected works of rights-holders through opt-out mechanisms. However, it says in its copyright and AI consultation regarding the EU approach, “there is some uncertainty about how it works in practice and some aspects are still being developed”. The union says that NUJ members, including freelances


working in different sectors, should not have their works used to train or develop AI technologies without consent being sought and obtained. The union will respond to the


consultation and include key issues called for in its AI campaign. Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said that ministers


must show they remain open to the voices of journalists and creators: “The pursuit of innovation and opportunities in AI must not be at the expense of our members… Choice and control over how copyright-protected works are used must remain with journalists, whose work plays a critical role in our democracy.”


Fears as Getty and Shutterstock to merge


GETTY IMAGES and Shutterstock are to merge, triggering concerns over how much control photographers will have over their work and losing income. The company will be called Getty Images and be worth


$3.7 billion (£2.97 billion). Photographers fear the merger could undermine livelihoods and public trust. The union has written to


Getty seeking assurances that contributors via Shutterstock will be have the option to


refuse permission for Getty’s AI generator to use their images. In addition, the NUJ is pressing for fair rates for photojournalistic and news photography, and that the AI image library should never be used to produce images


purporting to be of current or historical events. Natasha Hirst, NUJ


president and a photographer, said: “This monopolistic merger is a real risk to photographers trying to sustain a living. The


drive to increase generative AI outputs also endangers public trust in our work. “Driving us out of our


profession in the race to provide ever-cheaper images devalues the vital role of photojournalism and ignores the risks and costs often involved in it.”


MATT KENYON “ Steve Bell


Choice over how works are used must remain with journalists, whose work plays a critical role in democracy


Laura Davison NUJ general secretary


06 | theJournalist


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