AI survey results launched at All Party Writers Group reception

The survey of over 13,500 ALCS members showed that writers overwhelmingly support some form of remuneration, along with greater choice and transparency, when their works are used to train AI systems.

The event was hosted by the new Chair of the AWPG, Chris Evans MP, who paid tribute to the creative industries and the contribution they make to the UK’s economy and culture. The APWG is the Parliamentary group that represents the interests of writers, consisting of MPs and Lords from across the political spectrum.

Caroline Dinenage MP spoke of the result of the survey: “91% of respondents said they wanted to be asked for permission for AI to use their work, while 92% said that they would want to receive compensation for historic use of their works as well. Without those two things our great British writers won’t have the confidence that they are maintaining ownership over the fruits of their efforts, and at the end of the day people deserve to get paid for their work and their brilliance.”

Author Joanne Harris then spoke about the irreplaceable value of human creativity. She said: “Art is one of those things which is supposed to enrich our lives, not just by making money but by doing something that money can’t do.  There are not many of those things left in the world, and imagination, storytelling and creation, those things are the things that machines should not and will not be allowed to take from us.”

The event also saw the launch of SCOOP, a new initiative to pay freelance journalists and photojournalists for the secondary online uses of their content, launched in partnership with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), DACS and PICSEL.

Natasha Hirst, President of the NUJ, said: “On average, freelance journalists earn below the national living wage. We do our work because we love it, but we also need to eat and put our heating on and do the things in life that people should be able to take for granted. But the exploitation of freelancers and the scourge of online copyright infringement isn’t new. It can never be acceptable for organisations to profit from the theft of creators’ work, and that is the bottom line for us.

SCOOP is desperately needed in order to provide the payment that freelancers deserve and the support that we need to sustain our careers. The mechanism will also support the training and development needs of freelancers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.”

You can find out more about our survey on AI here.

You can learn more about the SCOOP initiative here.