Norfolk graphic artist says new technologies like AI won't spell the end for the arts
It follows a report by MPs which urges the Government to better protect those working in the creative industries from challenges presented by AI
A graphic artist from Norfolk is telling us she doesn't think new technologies will spell the end of her line of work in the arts sector.
It follows a report by MPs, which urges the Government to better protect those working in the creative industries from challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI), streaming and copyright laws.
"Education is vital"
Rebecca Osborne works in Great Yarmouth: "There is probably a place for AI if it is used properly as a tool.
"In the education line of work, I've heard very good things. Obviously, safety and making sure that the images and content retrieved from AI is safe for young people is key.
"Education is vital - so anyone who's studying any type subject in the arts, (from music to artwork), should learn about how to protect themselves.
"I was at an event the other week talking about teaching and learning. They went on to talk about how the calculator came out and how that radically changed maths. But they still have non-calculator papers in Maths. So I think that's important to bear in mind."
"It's something that is happening and happening now"
She does understand people's concerns: "I understand the concerns that people have about competing with AI, when it comes to creating art.
"Unfortunately this is not something that might happen, rather it's something that is happening and happening now.
"We as small businesses need to learn more about how to live with it, rather than fight against it.
"A lot of it is down to the consumer and respecting the fact that this is a person's artwork instead of just AI. A person has to select the images that AI can then look at and use, so I think there's always going to be some artistic input."
What else was did the report find?
The Report by the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called for:
-A "freelancers' commissioner" to give a voice to the roughly one-third of the creative workforce who are self-employed, and ensure creators are compensated when people copy or move content between private devices.
-A "definitive deadline" after which the Government would legislate to ensure artists receive fair compensation when their work is used by AI developers.
"Status quo simply favours AI developers"
The MPs said: "We are concerned that the status quo simply favours AI developers, given creators' concerns that their IP is already being used in AI development without licence or any practical means of recourse."
During its investigation, the committee heard from award-winning singer-songwriter Nile Rodgers, who said he made 100,000 US dollars from his first single in 1977, an amount unheard of for modern artists.
The Chic frontman said the decline in costs brought about by increased digital streaming should have increased revenues for artists, but said this had not happened.
He said: "I have been doing this for 50 years of my life, and in 50 years you would have thought that, with the advent of all the new technologies, people like me would have a much better life, that things would be easier and we would all profit together, but that is not the case."
The committee also heard from British musician VV Brown, who said: "When I released my record through a major publisher (in 2007), I was able to make a living. I was able to pay my rent at the time.
"In 2023, in the environment and the culture I am in - I have two children and a mortgage - there is no way for me to sustain myself as a human being in the industry any longer."
The committee reiterated its previous call for a "complete reset" of the music streaming industry to ensure fairness for musicians, and said while there had been some positive steps the Government needed to "move further and faster".
"The Government needs to play catch-up"
Dame Caroline Dinenage, the committee's chairwoman, said: "Many of our talented actors, writers, composers and singers are failing to share in the global success of the UK's creative industries as the sector struggles to navigate a perfect storm caused by everything from the emergence of AI through to the rapid changes in the way content is consumed.
"If creators are no longer to be the poor relations, the Government needs to play catch-up by plugging the gaps in outdated copyright and intellectual property regulations and ensuring that there is a champion for the rights of freelancers, who make a vital contribution to their industries."
"I want to maximise the potential of our creative industries"
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
"The UK’s strengths and accomplishments in art and entertainment mean we are well placed to take advantage of developing technologies in this field. But creatives rightly have concerns - and proposals - about how their work is used by artificial intelligence now and in the future, and I want to hear them.
"As Culture Secretary I want to maximise the potential of our creative industries and grow them by £50 billion by 2030, creating one million new jobs. I believe that AI can help delivering these goals, but only if opportunities are developed responsibly and in lock-step with industry".
It follows the publication of the 'AI Regulation White Paper', which the Government says:
-Sets out a new approach to regulating artificial intelligence to build public trust in cutting-edge technologies and make it easier for businesses to innovate, grow and create jobs
-Will help unleash the benefits of AI, one of the 5 technologies of tomorrow, which already contributes £3.7 billion to the UK economy
-Follows new expert taskforce to build the UK’s capabilities in foundation models, including large language models like ChatGPT, and £2 million for sandbox trial to help businesses test AI rules before getting to market.