As the creative industries face an uncertain future, over 2,000 cultural figures have signed a letter urging the government to protect their work from Artificial Intelligence.
More than 2,000 cultural figures, including leading names such as Mark Haddon, Axel Scheffler, Benji Davies, and Michael Rosen, have signed a letter calling on the government to maintain legal safeguards that protect artists and writers’ work.
The signatories are concerned about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on their livelihoods. They believe that the government’s plans to loosen copyright rules will enable AI developers to exploit their work without permission or fair compensation.
The Value of Human Creativity
The letter highlights the importance of human creativity in the economy, accounting for over 5% of gross national product and contributing £124bn annually. The sector employs approximately 2.4 million people. However, if the government’s proposal is implemented, it will be easy to scrape everything uploaded online using an ‘opt-out’ scheme.
Human creativity is a complex cognitive process that enables individuals to generate novel and valuable ideas.
Research suggests that creative thinking involves the interplay between different brain regions, including those responsible for imagination, attention, and memory.
Studies have shown that creative people tend to exhibit traits such as curiosity, 'open-mindedness', and intrinsic motivation.
Additionally, factors like sleep, exercise, and social interaction can also boost creativity.
In fact, studies have found that 72% of employees feel more creative when working in a collaborative environment.
Misconceptions About AI
The campaign aims to dispel popular misconceptions about AI. Proponents argue that AI is not innovative but can only re-mix existing ideas. It cannot discard old prejudices or develop new positions. In contrast, human creativity brings fresh perspectives and originality.
Destruction of Cultural Heritage
Supporters of the campaign believe that the destruction of cultural heritage is an international crime, as it paves the way to inhumanity. Without creatives, there would be no cultural heritage. The letter emphasizes that the value of human culture, creativity, and creators must be protected and respected.
Cultural heritage refers to the intangible and tangible assets of a culture, including traditions, customs, languages, and historical sites.
UNESCO estimates that over 40% of cultural heritage worldwide is at risk due to conflict, climate change, and human activities.
Efforts are being made to preserve cultural heritage through documentation, conservation, and 'education programs'.
In 2019, the global cultural heritage market was valued at $1.3 trillion, with tourism generating significant revenue for local economies.
Generative AI: Stealing Creativity
Picture book creator Chris Haughton insists that generative AI operates by stealing ideas rather than being creatively exciting. If the government’s proposal is implemented, it will effectively hand over the wealth created by the creative industries to the tech industry, resulting in a significant loss for creatives.
Impact on Diversity and Minority Groups
Illustrator Momoko Abe argues that the representation of diverse and minority groups will take a step back if AI takes the creative reins. Generative AI will create unfair competition for all creatives, particularly minority creatives who have only recently gained access to the industry.
A Call to Action
The campaigners urge the government to reconsider its proposal and prioritize the protection of human creativity. They argue that artists are not jealous gatekeepers of privilege but hard-working individuals who deserve fair compensation for their work. The campaign aims to dispel popular misconceptions about AI and highlight the importance of preserving human culture, creativity, and creators.
The Future of Creativity
If the government’s proposal is implemented, it will be a devastating blow to the creative community. It will also undermine the skills and confidence that children gain from learning creative skills. The campaign emphasizes that generative AI looks like creativity but ultimately robs individuals of embodied skills.
A creative community is a group of individuals who share and support each other's artistic endeavors.
These communities provide a platform for creatives to showcase their work, receive feedback, and learn from others.
According to a survey by the National Endowment for the Arts, 71% of artists participate in some form of collaborative activity.
Creative communities can be found online through social media platforms, forums, and specialized websites.
The signatories are calling on the government to take immediate action to protect their work and preserve human creativity. They believe that it is essential to prioritize the value of human culture, creativity, and creators in the face of technological advancements.
