Changing copyright laws can bring challenges and potential threats to the AI industry as issues of data usage and ownership limit the use of AI models.
Access to large and diverse data sets is critical to AI development, and limitations on data use can hinder progress. A lawsuit brought by the New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement is just the beginning of a battle over published works used as the basis of AI technologies.
According to a recent Reuters article, the rise of generative artificial intelligence driven by Microsoft-backed companies such as OpenAI, Meta Platforms and Midjourney has led to a number of copyright disputes. These were initiated by content creators who argue that the success of artificial intelligence depends on their original works. This is expected to result in significant changes to US copyright law in 2024.
So far, tech companies have defended their practices by arguing that AI training is comparable to human learning and is considered “fair use,” according to Reuters.
While judges are skeptical about lawsuits based on AI content, the question of whether AI companies violate copyrights when they feed their systems with data read from the Internet has not yet been clarified.
“Fair Use” Considerations
AI systems can use existing copyrighted material to create new, modified works. Determining what constitutes “fair use” can be subjective and subject to litigation.
Bias
When AI models are fed biased datasets that contain copyrighted material that reflects societal biases, the resulting algorithms can perpetuate or reinforce those biases. This could raise legal and ethical concerns and impact the industry’s reputation and regulatory scrutiny.
Unintentional Violations of Rights
AI algorithms can inadvertently generate content that violates existing copyrights. Determining intent in AI-generated works can be difficult, making it difficult to distinguish unintentional violations from intentional acts.
Changing regulations
Evolving copyright laws and regulations may require constant adjustment by AI developers. Complying with regional and international laws can be challenging, especially as the legal landscape for artificial intelligence continues to evolve.
Challenges in the case of open sources
The AI community often relies on open source frameworks and collaborative development. Balancing copyright restrictions with the principles of open source collaboration can lead to conflicts and legal uncertainties.
Addressing these challenges requires a balance between protecting intellectual property and promoting innovation. The legal framework needs to evolve to take into account the unique aspects of AI technology and ensure that the industry can evolve while preserving the rights of content creators and data owners.
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk. Translated and edited by Simone Preuss.