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Earlier this month, a significant demonstration took place outside Meta’s headquarters in London, which is the parent organization for popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The protesters voiced their concerns regarding Meta’s utilization of millions of pirated literary works and academic articles to train their generative AI models, collectively known as Llama.
AJ West, a prominent author known for his historical fiction, was among the protest’s organizers. He expressed profound disappointment upon learning that his own works may have been appropriated without consent. West cautioned that without government intervention to safeguard writers’ copyrights, the arts could increasingly become a privilege reserved for the affluent.
“Never in the history of British literature has there been such a towering, brazen attempt on British copyright,” remarked AJ West, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Ella Creamer, a books reporter from the Guardian, noted the rising tide of legal actions against Meta in the United States, where numerous authors have filed lawsuits alleging copyright violations. She elaborated on how these authors believe their livelihoods are jeopardized. In her analysis, Creamer discussed Meta’s defense, which hinges on claims of fair use and positions its actions as a means of innovation that will ultimately benefit society. However, a series of leaked emails have revealed that even within Meta, there are mixed sentiments regarding these practices.
The author and campaigner Kate Mosse conveyed to Helen Pidd the extensive effort involved in writing a novel, warning that the UK government should exercise caution in risking the future of its creative sectors. Mosse maintains that while AI technology has its place, it cannot replicate the essence of truly creative writing.
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www.theguardian.com