Dean Ormston said the industry body has “long held concerns” about the lack of transparency of generative AI platforms.
Stop Devaluing Music (Artist Rights Alliance)
APRA AMCOS has welcomed the recommendation from the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Artificial Intelligence (AI), which finds the NSW Government advocating to the federal government for greater protection for artists.
The NSW Government is calling on the federal government to protect our artists further regarding copyright and intellectual property made by Australian artists amid the rise of AI.
In a press release, APRA AMCOS revealed that it’s undertaken a massive survey of its 119,000 members about the “usage, impacts, and concerns of generative AI in music.” The survey's results will be unveiled next month.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, said the industry body has “long held concerns” about the lack of transparency of generative AI platforms.
“Creators pour their hearts and souls into their work, investing countless hours refining their craft, yet they face a reality of seeing their creations exploited by AI platforms without credit, consent, or compensation,” Ormston said. “This type of secretive behaviour de-legitimises this new technology and embeds the trust deficit so many Silicon Valley businesses now face.”
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Adding that regulation “must look beyond” short-term, perceived hype and opportunities of generative AI to maintain the sustainability of Australia’s music workforce, Ormston said that “AI is another development of computer science, subject to the same ethical and legal requirements as any other business.
“Input costs from creative industry labour to develop this computer science must be at the heart of the investor framework for generative AI both here and around the world.”
Ormston continued, “Australia’s copyright laws are clear, simple and fit for purpose with the framework well set up for licensing AI development in Australia, provided the rights of creators are respected. If there is copying or reproduction of works without permission, it is unlawful and certainly unethical.”
Also mentioning something else that may be unlawful and unethical – using “a person’s name, image and likeness” without their consent – Ormston believes those challenges may raise “urgent” legal questions.
"The potential impact of this type of unauthorised use of the work of Australian creators, including First Nations creators, could be extremely damaging to these livelihoods,” Ormston said.
“APRA AMCOS looks forward to the NSW Government's response to the Committee's final report, which is due in October.”