Screenwriters Unions Call for Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Creative Industries
In a groundbreaking move, the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) have jointly passed a resolution calling for the “ethical use” of artificial intelligence in the creative industries. The resolution aims to establish guidelines that respect the copyright of human writers and ensure that AI is used as a tool to enhance the writing process, not replace it.
The members of the two screenwriter unions have outlined several key principles in their statement, including granting copyright only to human writers for original works, using licensed material to train AI models, and implementing mechanisms for transparency and accountability when AI is used for writing services.
IAWG chair Jennifer Davidson emphasized the importance of protecting the value of writers’ work and ensuring that AI is not used to diminish their contributions. The move by international screenwriters comes in the wake of the European Union’s AI Act, which aims to regulate artificial intelligence and ensure compliance with copyright laws.
German Screenwriter and FSE President, Carolin Otto, commended the EU’s efforts to enact the AI Act but highlighted unresolved issues regarding the unauthorized use of intellectual property for training AI models. The screenwriter guilds are calling for legal protections in contracts to safeguard creators from AI abuse.
In the U.S., Rep. Adam Schiff has introduced legislation that would require firms to disclose the copyrighted works used to train their AI systems. This move aims to hold companies accountable for using copyrighted material in AI development and protect original creators from exploitation.
The joint statement by FSE and IAWG lists five principles to establish an ethical framework for AI use in scriptwriting, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and fair remuneration for writers’ intellectual property. The unions are advocating for a balance between technological advancement and creative integrity in the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.