Screenwriter unions call for ethical use of artificial intelligence in creative industries
The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) have joined forces to pass a resolution advocating for the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the creative industries. The move comes as new high-powered AI tools are being rapidly introduced, raising concerns about their impact on jobs and business models in the industry.
The joint resolution outlines principles that emphasize the importance of respecting copyright and ensuring that only human writers, not AI models, are granted copyright for original works. It also calls for transparency and accountability mechanisms to inform writers if AI is used in any part of the writing process.
IAWG chair Jennifer Davidson emphasized the need for AI to enhance the writing process, not diminish the value of writers’ work or replace them. The guilds are building on the protections achieved by their American counterparts during past strikes to ensure that AI is used responsibly.
The resolution follows the European Union’s AI Act, which aims to regulate artificial intelligence and ensure that AI systems comply with European copyright laws. FSE President Carolin Otto praised the EU’s efforts but highlighted unresolved issues regarding the unauthorized use of intellectual property for training AI models.
In the U.S., new legislation introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff would require companies to disclose which copyrighted works were used to train their AI systems. This move aims to protect original creators and hold companies accountable for using copyrighted material without permission.
The FSE and IAWG have outlined five principles to establish an ethical framework for the development and use of AI in the scriptwriting process. These principles include affirming that only writers create literary material, advocating for transparency and accountability, and ensuring fair remuneration for the use of writers’ intellectual property in AI systems.
The FSE represents 32 screenwriters’ guilds across 26 European countries, while the IAWG represents 14 unions and organizations across 12 countries. Together, they are working to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically in the creative industries.