Tag Archives: Arts

Arts and Media Groups Call for AI Training to Combat “Ramp Theft” of Australian Content

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Arts, creative, and media organizations are urging the government to prohibit large tech companies from using Australian content and developing artificial intelligence models. There is growing concern that such a decision may “betray” Australian workers and facilitate the “widespread theft” of intellectual property.

The Albanese government has stated that it has no intention of altering copyright laws, but emphasizes that any changes must consider their effects on artists and news media. Opposition leader Sassan Ray has called for compensation for any use of copyrighted material.

“It is unacceptable for Big Tech to exploit the work of Australian artists, musicians, creators, and journalists without just compensation,” Ray asserted on Wednesday.


The Productivity Committee’s interim report titled “Utilizing Data and Digital Technology” proposes regulations for technologies, including AI in Australia, projecting a productivity increase of 0.5% to 13% over the next decade, thereby potentially adding $116 billion to the nation’s GDP.

The report highlighted that building AI models demands a substantial amount of data, prompting concerns from many players, including Creative Australia and copyright agencies, about the misuse of copyrighted content for AI training.

The committee outlined potential solutions, advocating for an expansion of licensing agreements, exemptions for “text and data mining,” and enhancements to existing fair trading regulations that are already in place in other countries.

This latter suggestion faced significant opposition from arts, creative, and media organizations. They expressed discontent at the idea of allowing wealthy tech companies to utilize their work for AI training without appropriate compensation.

Such a shift could jeopardize existing licensing agreements formed between publishers and creators with major tech firms and complicate negotiations for news media seeking fair compensation from social media platforms for journalism online.

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The Australian Labour Union Council (ACTU) criticized the Productivity Committee’s proposal, claiming it exploits the interests of large multimillion-dollar corporations, warning that it may mislead efforts to assist Australian workers.

“The extensive discussion surrounding text and data mining exemptions risks normalizing the theft of creative works from Australian artists and Indigenous communities,” said ACTU.

Joseph Mitchell, ACTU Secretary, indicated that such exemptions would allow “high-tech corporations to reap the full benefits of advanced technology without giving back to the creators.”

APRA Chair Jenny Morris is among those who have voiced concerns over potential exemptions for “text and data mining” used in AI training. Photo: AAP

Australia’s music rights organizations, Apra Amcos and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Bureau, expressed disappointment regarding the committee’s recommendations, raising alarms about the implications for Australia’s $9 billion music sector.

APRA Chair Jenny Morris stressed that this recommendation highlights a recognition that these practices are already widespread.

Attorney General Michelle Roland, responsible for copyright legislation, stated that any advancements in AI must prioritize building trust and confidence.

“Any reforms to Australia’s copyright law must reflect the effects on the nation’s creative and news sectors. We remain dedicated to participating in dialogues around these issues, particularly with the copyright and AI reference groups initiated by the government last year,” she mentioned.

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When asked about the committee’s findings, Ray expressed concern regarding the absence of sufficient “guardrails” from the government to tackle AI-related issues.

“We need to safeguard content creators… their work rightfully belongs to them, and we must not take it without compensating them,” she added.

Ed Fushik, former Minister for Industry and Technology for Workers, defended the overall outlook for the economy on Wednesday. Treasurer Jim Chalmers later commented on ABC’s 7.30, saying, “The mechanism you deploy, whether one act or multiple existing acts… is not the crux of the issue.”

“I believe we can strike a balance between concerns that AI is harmful and those who pretend we can return to a previous state,” he indicated.

“There are no current plans to undermine or alter Australia’s copyright arrangements.”

Arts Minister Tony Burke highlighted a submission from Creative Australia regarding the review. He stated that, “It emphasizes the necessity for consent, transparency, and fair compensation concerning copyright and labeling.”

In a statement, Creative Australia asserted that the nation has the potential to lead globally in establishing “fair standards” for AI application.

“Artists and creatives whose work is utilized in training AI are entitled to proper compensation,” a spokesperson remarked.

“Innovation should not come at the cost of ethical business practices.”

The Australian Publishers Association (APA) has expressed worries about the possibility of works being utilized without authorization or compensation.

“While we support responsible innovation, this draft proposal favors infringers over investors,” stated Patrizia Di Biase-Dyson, CEO of APA.

“We oppose the idea that Australian narratives and educational materials integral to our culture and democracy should be treated as free resources for corporate AI systems.”

The copyright agency likewise spoke against the text and data mining exemption, emphasizing that it would adversely affect creators’ revenue.

“The movement towards revision of the Australian copyright system stems from large multinational corporations, and it does not serve the national interest,” remarked CEO Josephine Johnston. “To empower Australia’s high-quality content in the new AI era, it’s critical that creators receive fair compensation.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Leaders in the Performing Arts Sound Alarm on UK Government’s AI Plan, Warn of Copyright Issues

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A group of more than 30 British performing arts leaders, including executives from the National Theatre, Opera North, and Royal Albert Hall, have expressed concerns over the government’s proposal to allow artists to use their work without permission.

In a joint statement, they emphasized that performing arts organizations rely on a delicate balance of freelancers who depend on copyright to sustain their livelihoods. They urged the government to uphold the “moral and economic rights” of the creative community encompassing music, dance, drama, and opera.

Signatories to the statement include top leaders from institutions such as Saddlers Wells Dance Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Leeds Playhouse.

They expressed concern over the government’s plan to diminish creative copyright by granting exemptions to AI companies. The statement highlighted the reliance of highly skilled creative workers on copyright and the potential negative impact on their livelihoods.


While embracing technological advancements, they warned that the government’s plans could hinder their participation in AI development. They called for automatic rights for creative professionals and criticized proposals that require copyright holders to opt out.

Additionally, they demanded transparency from AI companies regarding the copyrighted material they use in their models and how it was obtained. The government’s proposed transparency requirements in copyright consultations were noted.

The statement emphasized the importance of music, drama, dance, and opera to human joy and highlighted the backlash against the government’s proposals from prominent figures in the creative industry.

The controversy revolves around AI models that power tools like ChatGpt chatbots, trained using vast amounts of data from the open web. A government spokesperson defended the new approach, aiming to balance the interests of AI developers and rights holders.

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK arts and media oppose proposal to grant AI companies permission to utilize copyrighted content

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Authors, publishers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, and newspaper publishers have all opposed the Labor government’s proposal to create a copyright exemption for training algorithms by artificial intelligence companies.

Representing thousands of creators, various organizations released a joint statement rejecting the idea of allowing companies like Open AI, Google, and Meta to use public works for AI training unless owners actively opt out. This was in response to the ministers’ proposal announced on Tuesday.

The Creative Rights in AI Coalition (Crac) emphasized the importance of respecting and enforcing existing copyright laws rather than circumventing them.

Included in the coalition are prominent entities like the British Recording Industry, the Independent Musicians Association, the Film Institute, the Writers’ Association, as well as Mumsnet, the Guardian, the Financial Times, the Telegraph, Getty Images, the Daily Mail Group, and Newsquest.

The intervention from these industry representatives follows statements by Technology and Culture Minister Kris Bryant in Parliament, where he promoted the proposed system as a way to enhance access to content for AI developers while ensuring rights holders have control over its use. This stance was reinforced after Bryant mentioned the importance of controlling the training of AI models using UK content accessed from overseas.

Nevertheless, industry lobbying group Tech UK is advocating for a more permissive market that allows companies to utilize and pay for copyrighted data. Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Conservative Party’s culture, media, and sport select committee, criticized the government’s alignment with AI companies.

Mr. Bryant defended the proposed system to MPs by highlighting the need for a flexible regime that allows for overseas developers to train AI models with UK content. He warned that a strict regime could hinder the growth of AI development in the UK.

Creatives in the industry are urged to seek permission from generative AI developers, obtain licenses, and compensate rights holders if they wish to create or train algorithms for various media formats.

A collective statement from the creative industry emphasized the importance of upholding current copyright laws and ensuring fair compensation for creators when licensing their work.

Renowned figures like Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Julianne Moore, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Bonneville have joined a petition calling for stricter regulations on AI companies that engage in copyright infringement.

Novelist Kate Mosse is also supporting a campaign to amend the Data Bill to enforce existing copyright laws in the UK to protect creators’ rights and fair compensation.

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During a recent House of Lords debate, supporters of amendments to enforce copyright laws likened the government’s proposal to asking shopkeepers to opt-out of shoplifting rather than actively preventing it.

The government’s plan for a copyright exemption has faced criticism from the Liberal Democrats and other opponents who believe it is influenced by technology lobbyists and misinterpretations of current copyright laws.

Science Minister Patrick Vallance defended the government’s position by emphasizing the need to support rights holders, ensure fair compensation, and facilitate the development of AI models while maintaining appropriate access.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Positive Impact of Arts and Crafts on Happiness Compared to Employment

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Creative hobbies give us a sense of self-expression and progress.

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Engaging in arts and crafts improves mental health and a sense that life is worth living, and these activities have positive effects that are equal to or greater than the improvements in mental health that come with employment.

Decades of research have shown that health, income, and employment status are key predictors of people’s life satisfaction. But researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK wanted to explore what other activities and situations might improve mental health. “Crafts are accessible, affordable, and already popular, so we were interested in finding out whether they have health benefits,” the researchers say. Helen Keyes.

Keys and her colleagues analyzed more than 7,000 responses to the annual survey. Participate in the surveyThe survey asks people in England about their involvement in activities such as arts and culture, sport and internet use. All participants were also asked about their levels of happiness, anxiety, loneliness, life satisfaction and whether they feel their life is worth living.

More than a third of participants said they had done at least one arts or crafts activity in the past year, including pottery, painting, knitting, photography, filmmaking, woodworking, and jewelry making. The researchers found that engaging in arts and crafts was associated with higher scores across measures of mental health, even after accounting for factors such as health and employment status.

Although the increase was small (about 0.2 on a 10-point scale), crafting was a stronger predictor of feeling that life was worth living than factors that are harder to change, such as having a job.

“There’s something about making things that gives you a sense of progress and self-expression that you can’t get in a job,” Keys says. “You can take real pride in what you make, and you can see the progress in real time.” The positive effect of creative activities on people’s sense of value in life was 1.6 times higher than in a job situation.

Arts and crafts also increased happiness and life satisfaction, but did not produce significant changes in reported loneliness, which may be because many crafts can be done alone.

Promoting and supporting arts and crafts can be used as a preventative mental health strategy on a national scale, Keys said: “When people do it, they have fun. It’s an easy win.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

From “Classy Boy” to TikTok Sensation: Henry Lawrie’s Rise to Stardom | Arts and Entertainment Headlines

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Henry Rowley truly enjoys the recognition that goes viral more than anything else.

“I really love it,” he says. “Partly because I’m a show-off!”

The 25-year-old was an exceptional performer. This year’s Edinburgh Fringe was a prospect that not too long ago probably made him laugh more than his own jokes.

No longer just a marketing executive after gaining fame with tick tock whose ever-growing collection of comic skits and impressions, each personifying a part of pop culture and society that we can all relate to or make fun of, has over 1.3 million followers. I am.

“It was pretty cool,” he said of his first big hit video.

“The fact that so many people watched your video every time you hit a numerical milestone is so surreal.

“But I think they also kept in mind that a lot of people probably wouldn’t find it funny or even find it annoying. That’s the nature of comedy, especially online.”

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Since sharing her first video last year, Laurie has developed her own cast of characters, doing countless celebrity impressions and film parodies.

There’s Minty and Hugo, the “after music guy” and the “walking sick”, and the delicatessen, a classy girl with a husky voice.

Nothing more popular than his clips are his sometimes self-deprecating riffs on the British upper class, spoken in a tone that embarrasses even himself. jack whitehall and boris johnson.

and, this most wonderful time of the yearhe certainly won’t forgive his feelings when Love Actually is as inevitable as mince pies and turkey. Hugh Grant and keira knightley Impressions will be wasted.

“I grew up there leicester “He was one of the classiest of my friends, and he was always thinking about something a little disgusting,” he says.

“Then all of a sudden I was in it.” bristol The university was surrounded by these classy kids and the moment they heard I was from Leicester they looked at me like I was this little town urchin. Not really! So a lot of it is based on the friends I made there and sometimes myself. ”

Lowry doesn’t care about negative feedback at all. Comedians who do that probably won’t stay on the circuit for long. However, posting all of your material online definitely makes you an easier target.

Those who aren’t enthusiastic “usually just hate me from afar,” he says. “that’s OK!”

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Love Actually’s Hugh Grant is a regular source of inspiration. Photo: Peter Mountain/Universal/DNA/tentative title/Kobal/Shutterstock

simple formula

His videos have racked up 69.1 million likes on TikTok and he has fans all over the world, and it’s safe to say he’s mostly a passionate audience.

Few things can safely be embedded in a family-friendly news story, but each clip strives to resonate in some way.

As someone who had the misfortune of watching the Twilight Saga all the way through this year, his recreation of the Twilight Saga is painfully accurate.

The discreet selfie-style framing and sharp runtime also make it a perfect fit for the platform.

When Lowry’s fans see him out and about, it’s always fun to hear how much they enjoy his work.

“It’s a great interaction when you meet someone and you know they think you’re interesting and enjoy what you’re doing,” he says.

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But he insists there’s no real formula for success.

Well, there’s nothing more cliche than doing what he loves. And he now makes a living from it.

“If you don’t enjoy making the video or don’t like the final product, what’s the point of doing it?” he says.

“People always say to me, ‘Why do you always laugh at your own jokes?’ And I say, ‘Because I think it’s funny. If it wasn’t, I’d laugh at my own jokes. You won’t say them.”

Well, that and he’s a useless so-and-so.

Source: news.sky.com