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Authors Guild Supports Groundbreaking Bill to Create AI Transparency Between Creators and Companies

Artificial Intelligence

April 12, 2024

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The Authors Guild thanks Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) for introducing the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act in response to the issues unregulated generative AI has created for authors and publishing.  

The bill would require companies to submit notices to the Copyright Office detailing the copyrighted works used to train their AI models. The Copyright Office would make this information publicly available in an online database. These requirements will apply retroactively to generative AI systems already available to consumers. The transparency that this law would bring is an essential first step in giving creators insight into how their works are being utilized. 

Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild, said in a press release, “This bill creates a robust framework for transparency of copyrighted works in generative AI systems so that authors can determine when their works have been used to train an AI model and demand a license. This bill has our strong support, and we look forward to pushing it forward.” 

As AI technologies advance, it is critical that we have ground rules and protections in place to respect creators and their intellectual property rights. AI models are trained on vast amounts of creative works, from books and articles to music, photography, and more. The human creativity that powers AI must be recognized and fairly compensated. 

The legislation is widely supported by creator advocacy groups spanning writing, music, photography, film and more. It is a common-sense approach to ensuring creators are not left behind as AI rapidly advances. Supporters include the Recording Industry Association of America, Copyright Clearance Center, Directors Guild of America, Authors Guild, National Association of Voice Actors, Concept Art Association, Professional Photographers of America, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Writers Guild of America West, Writers Guild of America East, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, American Society for Collective Rights Licensing, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Society of Composers and Lyricists, National Music Publishers Association, Recording Academy, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Songwriters of North America, Black Music Action Coalition, Music Artist Coalition, Human Artistry Campaign, and American Association of Independent Music. 

We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act. 

Read the press release here.

Read the full bill text here (PDF).