10,000 Authors in Britain Release 'Empty' Book Protesting Against AI Use
The book contains only a list of authors.
Around 10,000 authors, including Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, author of the "Thursday Murder Club" detective series Richard Osman, author of the adapted neo-spy novels "Slow Horses" and "Dead Lions" Mick Herron, and author of "The Other Boleyn Girl" Philippa Gregory, have published an "empty" book to protest against artificial intelligence companies using their works without permission, writes The Guardian.
In "Don’t Steal This Book," the only content is a list of their names. Copies of the publication are being distributed to visitors at the London Book Fair on Tuesday — a week before the UK government is due to publish an assessment of the economic implications of proposed changes to copyright law.
By March 18, ministers are to present an assessment of the economic impact, as well as a report on the progress of consultations regarding legal reform. All this is happening against a backdrop of dissatisfaction among creative professionals with how their works are being used by AI companies.
The book's organizer, Ed Newton-Rex, a composer and activist for creators' copyright protection, stated that the AI industry "is built on stolen work... taken without permission or payment."
He added: "This is far from a harmless crime — generative AI competes with the humans whose work it learns from, depriving them of their livelihoods. The government must protect UK creatives and refuse to legalize the theft of creative works by AI companies."
"It's not unreasonable at all to expect AI companies to pay for using authors' books," said writer Malorie Blackman.
Publishers also plan to launch an AI licensing initiative at the London Book Fair.
Among those who spoke out against weakening copyright law is Elton John, who called the government "absolute losers."
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