AI News: Media groups to meet Culture Secretary over risk of AI using copyright material
Media groups are scheduled to meet with the Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, to address concerns regarding the potential use of AI in using copyrighted material. This meeting aims to discuss how journalists can be protected and benefit from AI technology. Several prominent media organizations, including the BBC, Sky News, ITN, Daily Mail and General Trust, and News UK, along with news agencies and industry bodies, will attend the meeting.
The focus of the discussion will be on the challenges posed by AI-powered language models, potential competition from AI firms with lower ethical standards, and the spread of AI-generated misinformation. Additionally, the benefits of AI technology in reducing administrative work and expenses for publishers will also be explored. The meeting will provide insight into the government’s AI policy and potential regulations in the field.
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Introduction
Media groups in the UK are scheduled to meet with the Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, to discuss concerns over the potential loss of control of copyrighted material to artificial intelligence (AI) models such as ChatGPT. The meeting aims to address the challenges posed by AI and explore ways to protect journalists while harnessing the benefits of this revolutionary technology.
Concerns over control of copyrighted material
The increasing use of AI models like ChatGPT has raised concerns among media organizations regarding the control and ownership of copyrighted material. AI algorithms have the potential to generate content that resembles copyrighted works, which could result in the unauthorized use of intellectual property. It is crucial to establish frameworks and guidelines to safeguard the rights of journalists and protect their creative output.
Media groups attending the meeting
Various media groups will be attending the meeting with the Culture Secretary to express their concerns and provide insights into the challenges they face. This includes key broadcasters such as the BBC, Sky News, and ITN, along with prominent news companies like the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), Reach (owners of the Mirror), and News UK (owners of the Times and the Sun). Additionally, news agency owners such as PA Media and industry bodies like the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Media Association (NMA), and Society of Editors will also be present.
Government’s AI policy
The meeting with the Culture Secretary will help inform the UK government’s wider AI policy. The government recognizes the significance of AI in shaping the future of the country’s news industry and aims to support journalists and writers in navigating the impact of this evolving technology. By engaging with media groups, the government can gain valuable insights to ensure a pro-innovation approach to AI regulation while safeguarding the interests of the media sector.
Focus on ChatGPT and AI-generated mis/disinformation
One of the key topics to be addressed during the meeting will be the impact of AI-powered language models like ChatGPT. These models, such as those developed by OpenAI, can create responses by drawing on vast amounts of data available on the internet and from users of the platform. The potential misuse of AI technology to spread mis/disinformation raises concerns about the reliability and authenticity of news. Finding effective solutions to this challenge is vital to maintain public trust in journalism.
Benefits of AI for publishers and news outlets
While there are concerns regarding the use of AI in the media industry, there are also significant benefits to be gained. AI has the potential to reduce administrative work, streamline processes, and lower business expenses for publishers and news outlets. By automating routine tasks, journalists can focus on more meaningful reporting and investigative work. AI-driven tools can also assist in fact-checking, content curation, and personalized news recommendations, enhancing the overall quality of news delivery.
Views on current government work
The media groups attending the meeting will have the opportunity to provide their perspectives on the current government initiatives related to AI. These initiatives include a white paper on AI regulation, a proposed code of practice for AI companies, and the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill. Gathering feedback from industry experts will help shape future policies and ensure that they align with the needs and concerns of the media sector.
Introducing greater transparency over algorithms
One area of focus for the government is the introduction of greater transparency over algorithms used by tech firms that drive traffic and revenue to news publisher websites. By understanding how algorithms function and influence the distribution of news content, media organizations can gain better insights into audience engagement and monetization strategies. Increased transparency can also help mitigate the impact of platform de-prioritization, as experienced by Reach, which suffered a drop in revenue due to Facebook’s changes in news prioritization.
Reach’s revenue drop due to Facebook’s de-prioritization of news
Reach, one of the major media groups attending the meeting, highlighted the impact of Facebook’s de-prioritization of news on its revenue. The company reported a significant decrease in article views, indicating the potential financial consequences of relying heavily on a single platform for content distribution. Addressing the challenges posed by dominant tech platforms and finding alternative revenue streams will be important considerations during the meeting.
Conclusion
The meeting between media groups and the Culture Secretary provides a platform to address concerns surrounding AI’s impact on the control of copyrighted material. By engaging with industry experts, the government aims to strike a balance between protecting journalists’ rights and fostering innovation in the media sector. The insights gathered from the meeting will play a crucial role in shaping government policies and regulations that embrace the benefits of AI while addressing its potential risks to copyright and the dissemination of disinformation.
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/chatgpt-culture-secretary-sky-news-bbc-news-uk-b1112954.html