Microsoft, Google, Apple and Meta targeted by British developers in fight against AI

Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Apple and Meta are facing criticism from the UK creative community for using copyrighted material in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA) has issued a stark warning to these tech giants and others in the software development sector, demanding an end to the unauthorized use of creative works to train and operate artificial intelligence.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, the CRA, which represents more than 500,000 British creators, said its members do not allow their copyrighted material to be used for AI purposes without specific licensing agreements. The move comes as creators across a range of fields have raised growing concerns about the impact of AI on their livelihoods.

The Writers Guild of Great Britain survey found that 65% of respondents believe AI will reduce their income, while 61% are worried about losing work in their fields of craft. Recent incidents have highlighted the urgency of the problem. The CRA cited an illustrator discovering his work on a new site wrongly attributed to another artist; and voice cloning without consent, which has involved celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Scarlett Johansson.

The Alliance has set out seven key demands for AI creators, including full transparency about what works are used, obtaining prior consent from creators and rights holders, offering appropriate remuneration and always citing the sources.

The CRA is calling on the UK government to support initiatives such as The Smart Fund and implement the recommendations from the Creator Remuneration Report. They are also calling on AI companies to engage in good faith licensing negotiations and remove unauthorised works from their systems.

CRA Chair Nicola Solomon said: “Creators are innovators. They are eager to use AI tools, but they need trusted systems that do not have the potential to infringe on human works, styles and personalities. Creators need to be consulted, give consent and be rewarded when their work is used to develop AI models. If we work together, we can build high-quality, robust systems that enhance the work of human creators and reward their creativity.”

The letter was signed by a wide range of organisations representing creative professionals from different fields. Signatories include the Association of Author’s Agents, the Association of British Science Writers, the Association of Illustrators, the Association of Photographers, the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies, the British Equity Collection Society, the Design and Artists Copyright Society, Directors UK and the Equity British Trade Union.

Additional donors include Featured Artists Coalition, Independent Society of Musicians, The Ivors Academy, Music Managers Forum, Musicians’ Union, National Union of Journalists, Picture Industry Collecting Society for Effective Licensing, The Royal Photographic Society, The Society of Authors, Society of Artists Agents and Writers’ Guild of Great Britain.

As the artificial intelligence (AI) industry continues to grow, CRA seeks to protect the rights of creators by working with government departments including the Intellectual Property Office and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.