An online petition and statement condemning the unauthorized use of creative works to train generative AI has reached 13,500 signatories, including novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, Saturday Night Live actor (and upcoming National Book Awards host) Kate McKinnon, musician Thom Yorke, and a host of industry organizations that includes the Association of American Publishers.
“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted,” the statement on online training reads.
In a statement, AAP reps said this is “a crucial time for AI policy development globally,” as courts and legislatures around the world grapple with the rise of the technology.
“The Association of American Publishers is proud to stand with thousands of creators and partner organizations to highlight that human authorship is the basis of Generative AI,” added AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante. “What is true is that creators operate in service to a well-read, informed, and inspired global public, not the unsanctioned, unregulated profits of big tech companies. It goes without saying that technology collaborations are a key part of publishing, but they are built on lawful licenses and respect, not a land grab.”
