Artificial Intelligence and Creativity
Creativity is one of the most deeply human traits. It comes from our emotions, experiences, and personal stories; things that technology simply does not have. While artificial intelligence is an incredibly useful tool that helps speed up our work, it should not replace or exploit the efforts of artists, writers, musicians, and other creative professionals without their permission.
The Government’s Copyright Changes: A Risky Move
The government is looking at making changes that would allow artificial intelligence to use copyrighted material without asking for permission or giving credit. This is worrying because it means large companies could benefit from artificial intelligence systems that mimic real artists while the original creators get nothing in return.
At the moment, the government is proposing a system where creative professionals have to actively opt out if they do not want their work to be used for training artificial intelligence. While some might think this is fair, it puts all the responsibility on artists to keep their work from being taken.
Instead, it would make more sense to have an opt-in system, where creative professionals must give permission before their work is used. Imagine walking into a car rental company, picking a car, and driving off without asking. That would never be acceptable; so why should artificial intelligence companies be able to take the work of artists before getting their consent?
Artificial Intelligence is Built on Existing Data; And That’s the Problem
Artificial intelligence does not create something new from nothing. It learns from what already exists. If you ever try asking artificial intelligence to generate an image of a watch displaying any time other than ten past ten, you will quickly notice that most of the images it creates still show ten past ten. Why? Because throughout history, watch photographers have found that this is the most aesthetically pleasing display, and artificial intelligence has learned from their work.
This is just a small but powerful example of how artificial intelligence is shaped by what it finds online. It is not an independent creative force. It is trained on the work of real artists, designers, and photographers.
The Real Issue: Artists Deserve Control and Payment
The real problem here is not the technology itself, but how it is used. Artists should have the right to decide whether their work is used to train artificial intelligence. If they choose to allow it, they should be fairly paid for it. At the moment, there are not enough protections in place, and this urgently needs to change.
Would we allow artificial intelligence to learn from our work at Simply Creative Agency? Maybe; but only if we are properly rewarded and we give permission first. That should be the standard for everyone.
A Call for Ethical Artificial Intelligence Practices
Artificial intelligence has a place in the creative world, but it should not come at the expense of human creativity. The government needs to make sure that creative professionals are protected, rather than making it easier for their work to be taken without permission. An opt-in system would be the right step forward, making sure that artists, designers, and musicians stay in control of their own work.
At Simply Creative Agency, we believe in pushing creative boundaries, but we also believe in fairness. Artificial intelligence should be a tool that helps creative professionals, not one that takes advantage of them. If you are a creative person, now is the time to speak up. Let’s make sure artificial intelligence works for us, not against us.
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