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AI developers breaking copyright law on a ‘vast’ scale, say creators


COMPANIES developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems are breaking the law on a ‘vast’ scale by using journalists’ work without permission, attribution or payment, according to the Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA). The alliance, of which the NUJ is a member, has written to


the organisations involved, accusing them of regularly lifting huge quantities of copyrighted text to develop and operate AI models. The letter from the CRA,


which represents a wide range of creators including authors, artists, photographers, illustrators, translators, performers and musicians as well as journalists, acknowledged that AI, including generative AI programs, could be useful tools. “However, to safeguard human creativity, truthful content and the rights of authors, creators and performers, it is vital that AI models are developed and used in a legal, sustainable, and ethical manner,” it said. It said the practice was causing great personal and financial


harm to authors, performers and visual creators. The letter pointed out that UK law does not allow copying for such purposes without the explicit consent of the creator, their licensee or appointed representatives. “Accordingly, the large-scale copying (including, but not


limited to, extraction and transformation) that has been carried out to date amounts to copyright infringement for which rightsholders and creators should be compensated,” it said. The other option would be to


have material and work derived from it removed. Where permission


is granted for work to be used, full credit should be given for all past and present uses. The 500,000-member CRA has urged developers of all, but especially generative, AI systems to provide ‘full transparency’ about the material already used to develop their model. Among the other demands is that companies should in


future seek authorisation in advance from the creator and copyright holder.


Job cuts threaten Scotsman’s coverage


STAFF on The Scotsman have told management the newspaper is dying from a ‘thousand cuts’. In a letter to Claire Jackson, head


of HR at National World, the NUJ chapel said the loss of five more jobs means readers will lose out on quality and in-depth coverage of key


issues such as health. However, editor Neil McIntosh refused to meet editorial staff to explain the decision, despite the letter’s


expression of no confidence in the publisher’s strategy. Journalists were told about the cuts the day before National World announced a 17 per cent growth in revenue in its half-yearly results, including a 12 per cent rise in digital income.


“ Steve Bell


Companies should seek authorisation in advance from the copyright holder


Creators’ Rights Alliance


04 | theJournalist


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