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In recent years, the unauthorized use of creative works to train AI systems has sparked significant controversy. Writers, too, have been affected by this issue. On September 20, 2023, George R.R. Martin joined forces with 16 fellow authors and the Authors Guild to file a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the misuse of their literary works to train . The acclaimed Game of Thrones author recently discussed his perspective on the lawsuit and the broader implications of AI technology in an interview with Winter Is Coming.
The Authors Guild, an organization dedicated to protecting writers' rights and copyrights, initiated the lawsuit after OpenAI allegedly reproduced authors' works without permission or payment, as stated on their official website.
In the case of George R.R. Martin, was reportedly used to attempt the creation of the sixth and seventh installments of his renowned series, A Song of Ice and Fire. While Martin is actively involved in the lawsuit, he acknowledges that AI is an inevitable force, stating, “it’s here to stay.” Nevertheless, he emphasizes the need to address critical concerns surrounding its use.
In an exclusive conversation with Winter Is Coming, Martin posed critical questions: “What kind of regulations will be put in place? What rules will govern AI usage? If a book is used to train AI, should the author have the right to consent? Should they have a say in the process? And should they receive compensation for it?”
Three months following the lawsuit against OpenAI, the Authors Guild expanded its legal action by including Microsoft as a co-defendant [PDF]. Notable authors such as David Baldacci, Jonathan Franzen, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and George Saunders have joined Martin as plaintiffs in the case.
For many authors, writing is not a highly profitable profession. According to the Guild’s author income survey, the average full-time author earned approximately $20,000 in 2022 from book sales and related activities. The rise of inexpensive AI tools that utilize copyrighted material could further diminish authors’ ability to sustain a livelihood.
Creative professionals aren’t the only ones who should be concerned about their work being used to train AI. If you’re wondering whether your posts or images have been utilized for this purpose, you can check Have I Been Trained to find out.
