News and Advocacy

Generative AI models are trained by ingesting huge corpuses of ‘data’ – known as training datasets or inputs – which include copyright works such as books, journals, essays, and articles. It is undisputed that the works in the training datasets – many of which were sourced from pirate websites – have been copied without permission from, or payment to, creators. What’s more, this technology risks displacing, and diminishing the value of, authors’ and illustrators’ labour.

In Microsoft’s own words, the conduct of AI companies represents ‘the largest theft of labor in human history.’ It has provoked global outrage across the creative industries, consistent condemnation in public polling and, to date, approximately 150 copyright infringement cases in the United States. By the AI companies’ own admission, this practice is unsustainable, poses an ‘existential threat’ to publishing, and ‘threatens the economic stability of those who create the content.’

Not only is Big Tech reaping the benefits of Australian authors’ and illustrators’ creative labour without permission or payment, but the generative AI models they have developed are being used to displace creators’ work and dilute their market. We are already seeing the harmful impacts upon professional author careers. A flood of AI-generated books are being uploaded to online retailers – 45% of submitted publications were rejected from Kobo on this basis. AI-generated knock-offs are being sold on Amazon. Traffic to news and other websites, where authors might build a platform or profile, are significantly dropping since chatbots were launched. Creators are losing commissions or supplementary sources of income like copywriting or graphic design jobs, which are also crucial professional skills-building opportunities. A recent UK report showed 86% of authors reported a drop in income due to generative AI. Australian creators earn just $18,200 per annum from their creative practice – these disruptions will make professional careers unsustainable and will result in a contraction of authentic Australian voices, of unique Australian perspective and a future skills gap. 

The ASA supports the ethical, responsible, and sustainable development of AI, which can only occur through respect for copyright. AI developers must be transparent about the copyright work they’ve used to train their models, be required to seek authorisation from writers and illustrators to use their works to train generative AI, and to fairly compensate the creators who grant such authorisation. 

Copyright owners earn a living from licensing their work and must share in the financial rewards derived from using their intellectual property. To ignore this is to ignore the cost of creating cultural material, treat authors’ intellectual work as a free public commodity, disregard copyright laws, and undercut the living wage of professional writers and artists. 

Authors play an irreplaceable role in our society; entertaining, challenging, educating, and inspiring countless readers, as well as fuelling the broader creative industries. Human creativity and human knowledge is essential to a healthy, resilient, democratic, and modern society. New technologies ought to serve our community and unlock new opportunities for our creative industries. If regulated appropriately, AI represents a chance to support Australian authors, artists and publishers rather than displace our creators to the detriment of our nation’s unique cultural landscape.