Media union outlines dangers of AI on creative industry

IFJPR, 2 August 2023: Australia’s media worker union has made a submission to an Australian Government inquiry raising concerns over potential impacts of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology on the sustainability, working conditions, and creative agency of its members. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), in calling for a framework to address the risks posed by AI technology and urges authorities to centre protections on audiences, creative workers and their industries.

 

On July 31, MEAA made an official submission to the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources, in response to a June 1 invitation for submissions on the increasingly widespread use of AI. The union, which represents journalists, media workers, and other creative professionals, raised concerns over the risks surrounding the rapid advancement of AI technologies and stressed the need to protect the sustainability, incomes, and potential job losses of its membership and the broader industry.

 

According to MEAA, a lack of protection for copyright, moral and intellectual property rights were identified as holes in current regulations. It also said that use of pre-existing material in the training of generative AI should be subject to prior licensing and advocated for the integration of informed consent in its creation and use. Currently, there is no recourse for parties with their work, style, or image used in AI generative databases or products.

 

The potential for mis/disinformation, bias and a deterioration of public trust in media was also stressed in the submission as was use of databases which enhanced the risks of reinforcing gendered, racial, anti-LGBTQ, political and other biases. AI-generated stories could spread mis/disinformation either maliciously or otherwise, while ‘deep fakes’, synthetic voices, and other AI capabilities could be used to defame, denigrate, or undermine, it said.

 

The Australian Government invited submissions from stakeholders and the public following the publication of a discussion paper identifying gaps in Australia’s regulatory capacities. These submissions will be used to determine whether a voluntary or enforceable regulatory approach is instituted around AI. The consultation process will conclude on August 4.

 

MEAA said: “This technology also has far-reaching consequences, which need careful consideration, consultation, and regulation. Any regulation and ethical framework should consider and guide the introduction of appropriately regulated AI tools in the media, creative, performance and content industries and contain mechanisms for regular review to keep pace with this fast-changing technology.”

 

The IFJ said: “The increasingly common use of generative Artificial Intelligence technologies presents a distinct risk to journalists, media workers and many other creative industries. As our colleagues in the US are striking over the dangers of AI in the film industry, now is the time for stakeholder-led and negotiated regulations. Journalist and creative worker rights must be protected.”