More than 140,000 authors and performers in Germany have called on the European Union to introduce stronger rules regulating ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer). It is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool used for text and image creation. German associations, trade unions and other groups for photographers, designers, journalists, and illustrators want the EU to take necessary measures to protect copyright and improve transparency regarding the processing of content.
In order to protect against unauthorized use of materials and non-transparent processing of content, the said associations and unions wrote a letter to the European Commission, European Council, and EU lawmakers to urge for regulating the use of ChatGPT by focusing on originators of the foundation models. Among the foundation models, giants like Microsoft, Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, Meta Platforms have been spanned.
The letter speaks on behalf of the creatives and advocates for regulation of generative AI by saying that it needs to be enforced throughout the product cycle. It also states that the providers of AI need to take liability for the content made and disseminated by the AI tools. Apart from creating accountability and liability mentions, the authors also demand remuneration for the AI tools.
Major tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, etc. are some of the leading providers of AI tools which also offer platform services for digital content distribution. The authors in the letter, originally written on April 19th 2021, have urged the EU to restrict such services offered by these tech companies.
Verdi and DGB are some of the leading trade unions in Germany that support the letter. It showcases their concern towards the usage of AI technology in a wrong and non-transparent manner.
The European Commission launched the AI rules in 2020, and the final details of the regulations are being discussed between EU nations and lawmakers. The regulations will be set up once the discussions are finalized.
The letter has highlighted the risk associated with AI technology backed-up by copyright claims and liabilities which could lead to a number of misfortunes if not regulated with strict rules. It is important for the government and leading tech companies to pay equal attention to the regulations to develop the artificial tools in a way that benefits its users.
However, it is important to note that such tools should be used to build the society better in the long run and not vice versa.
