Protecting creators in the AI age
CISAC is working with partners worldwide to establish a safe AI environment that will serve, not replace, human creativity.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to be the most important revolution that the creative sector has ever seen. Generative AI tools will transform the lives and livelihoods of creators of all repertoires, creating exciting new opportunities, challenging authors’ rights and jeopardising the remuneration of creators everywhere.
CISAC and its members are working with rights holders, industry, policy makers, international agencies and academics to help create a safe environment for creators in the AI age. We are engaged in government legislative reviews, discussions with members on licensing and negotiations to ensure AI operators play fair and comply with laws safeguarding authors’ rights.
Three key principles underlines our advocacy on AI:
- Authorisation: creators must have the right to licence
- Remuneration: creators must be paid
- Transparency: AI providers must be obliged to inform on the training of copyrighted works
This online resource page highlights the work of the CISAC community on AI in the areas of policy, legislation and licensing.
7 key Principles for policymakers when adopting AI policies and legislation
In July 2023, CISAC set out its priorities for governments on AI and creators rights.
1
Creators’ and performers’ rights must be upheld and protected when exploited by AI systems
2.
Licensing should be enabled and supported
3.
Exceptions for Text and Data Mining which do not provide for effective opt-out by rightsholders should be avoided
4.
Credits should be given
5.
Transparency obligations should apply to ensure fairer AI practices
6.
Legal responsibility for AI operators
7.
AI is only an instrument in the service of human creativity, and international laws should reinforce this
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Lobbying and advocacy
Learn about our advocacy efforts which include meetings with policymakers, CISAC’s comments on proposed AI draft laws in various jurisdictions and more.
AI can be a wonderful tool, but this must never be at the expense of creators’ rights. The concept of copyright has had and has immense impact on culture and economy and must not be watered down by AI. We can only re-double our efforts to educate policy makers on this crucial message in the year ahead. We must stay united, coordinated and always with the true interest of the creator at the centre of our campaign.
I am very concerned that right now, if I try to use AI in my job, I do not have a guarantee that I am not plagiarising a colleague. When we are talking of artworks that are based on the use big data, it amounts to previous works whose authors have never consented and are not being compensated, and there is no transparency. Then it’s really risk for me as an author to use artificial intelligence.
Member societies' AI activities
CISAC's membership consists of 227 authors' societies from 116 countries, collectively representing more than 5 million creators across various artistic repertoires, including music, audiovisual, drama, literature, and visual arts. They actively engage with national and regional governments to ensure that their member creators' rights are protected when their works are used for AI training purposes.
In this new era that is starting for the digital environment, it has never been more important that human artistry is legally protected and assured. We must listen to the voices of those that create the intellectual property that fuels AI platforms. We must get their message to regulators. There is no time to wait – we must mobilise.
AI is transforming our world, and I see CISAC’s mission as being a global guardian of creators’ rights. It is clear from our members that it is going to stay top of the agenda. It’s a fast-moving target, with legislative developments in many countries which brings growing demands for CISAC’s support.
Current and Upcoming AI Projects and Events
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