Chat-GPT and other language-learning models (LLMs) have seen a sulfurous rise in popularity among consumers, workers and businesses alike. Although, it is still early days, the technology is already affecting a wide range of creatives, from professional writers to illustrators. While LLMs may boost productivity, especially of less skilled workers, the way it is developed and deployed worsens the working conditions for millions. These workers now find themselves competing with their own work, a dynamic that favours corporate employers and capital.
For instance, one of the leading generative AI firms, OpenAI, aims to build “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work” (see their manifesto). However, they often ignore the views and interests of the millions of workers on whose work and data their technology has been built. While OpenAI CEO Sam Altman pays lip-service to “AI serving all of humanity”, only collective action can ensure that AI benefits affected workers and advances the production of quality content.
That is why FES Future of Work, with the support of UNI Europa, organises a conference to engage unions, civil society, and policymakers to do exactly that: find collective answers to generative AI and build coalitions to ensure the deployment of the technology will serve the interests of workers, creatives, and the cultural sector. Although the tech raises questions for many different service sector jobs, the conference focuses on the creative industry, where the effects of generative AI are felt most keenly.
The conference builds on some hopeful initiatives. For instance, the Writers Guild of America has successfully pushed back against unrestricted use of generative AI. And the EU adopted the AI Act, which contains guardrails for the development of AI. At the same time, the roll-out of generative AI continues, whilst largely ignoring existing laws on copyright and data protection, and large tech firms are racing to integrate the technology into their core services. Those with the power to do so, such as large media businesses, either cut licensing deals with OpenAI for usage of their content, or sue for copyright infringement. But what about independent workers? And what about the general interest in the production of quality content?