Events

AUE are calling all members to respond to the Government Consultation on copyright and AI, which closes on February 25th.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has implications for AUE members whose will be directly affected by the increasingly sophisticated way that AI systems generate visual materials. These systems have been trained on vast quantities of copyrighted information without any permission sought from the creators. This constitutes an asset stripping of individual artists and the wider cultural sector, to enrich a very small number of technology companies. Whilst AI can be a useful tool in making art, AUE feels it poses a very real risk to artists’ livelihoods in the way the technology is currently being developed.

The latest signs from the UK government are not positive. It is extremely disappointing that the US and UK refused to sign a declaration to agree to develop “inclusive and sustainable” artificial intelligence at the recent Paris summit. This declaration has the stated aim of “making AI sustainable for people and the planet”. See this Guardian article.

In December 2024, the Intellectual Property Office launched a consultation on copyright & AI asking 49 questions. The consultation is open to individual artists and we urge you if you have time, to complete it. You don’t have to answer all the questions and we highlight below some key questions.

AUE Executive, in line with other Creative Unions, are recommending to our members we should support Option 1 which states ‘Strengthen copyright requiring licensing in all cases’ as the best approach to achieve a favourable outcome for creators. (Question 5)

Access the consultation here: Citizen Space

Alternatively  send responses to: copyrightconsultation@ipo.gov.uk

See website here.