ALCS calls on government to go further and protect 'mass violation' of creatives' rights following AI treaty

A day after the UK signed the first international treaty addressing the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) has called on the UK government to go further and protect “creators” from a “mass violation of their rights”. 

The first legally binding international agreement on AI was signed by Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood on Thursday. The treaty, agreed by the Council of Europe, is designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law from “potential threats” posed by AI. 

Mahmood said: “Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to radically improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of public services and turbocharge economic growth. However, we must not let AI shape us—we must shape AI.” 

All 46 members of the Council of Europe are expected to sign the treaty with countries from outside it, including the United States of America and Australia, also invited to sign. 

ALCS, a member organisation which works to ensure writers are fairly compensated and recently ran a survey on the impact AI might have on authors and copyright, welcomed the treaty but said it must be extended to cover the potential damage to livelihoods of creators. 

Barbara Hayes, chief executive of ALCS, told The Bookseller: “While it is encouraging to see the UK Government take positive steps in regulating the use of AI and mitigating the risks from its misuse, we would have liked to see the Lord Chancellor consider the impact on creators, whose works are being used to drive AI forward without recognition, permission or compensation.” 

She added: “The treaty intends to ensure human rights and the rule of law are protected, that must extend to protecting creators whose livelihoods are being threatened by this mass violation of their rights. As the Lord Chancellor says, we must not let AI shape us, we must shape AI. The future of AI must be one where creators are recognised and rewarded for their essential contributions.” 

The Society of Authors recently wrote to AI firms demanding “appropriate remuneration” and consent for the use of their work. Meanwhile, academic publishers including Taylor & Francis and Wiley have revealed they have made multi-million pound deals with AI firms to license the content of their authors.