CISAC president Björn Ulvaeus calls for AI transparency

TONO is a member of the worldwide umbrella organization for artists' collective management societies, CISAC. CISAC works politically on behalf of all its members. TONO's head of international work, Inger Elise Mey, sits on a legal working group in CISAC, which, among other things, works on copyright issues related to artificial intelligence.

– The EU is working to develop policies that will regulate artificial intelligence. In the CISAC legal group, we work a lot on the copyright issues associated with artificial intelligence, and it is central to our work that we contribute in a clear and thorough way to key decision-makers in the EU with insight and understanding of what is at stake. One of the many areas we are concerned about is that companies that develop artificial intelligence should be required to be transparent about what they train their services on, says Inger Elise Mey.

Ulvaeus demands transparency

Björn Ulvaeus, President of CISAC, published a statement on November 30th in connection with the EU's work on AI regulation. We reproduce here a translated version of the English text:

The EU AI Act is an important first step taken by policymakers to ensure that creators and the creative industries are properly protected in the AI ​​age. At this crucial stage, where many look to the EU for guidance, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to preserve human creativity and protect creators’ rights.

To do this, the EU AI law must set out transparency requirements for AI companies. This was proposed in the original text of the law, which I support but has been contested by some governments.

 AI will provide amazing opportunities and tools for creators and the creative sector. However, proper and sensible regulation is essential to unlock this potential. Transparency requirements are a prerequisite and must be included in AI law. Without the right provisions related to transparency, creators’ rights to authorize and receive payment for the use of their works will be undermined and impossible to implement.

Transparency requirements are now the focus of intense discussion around the draft EU regulation. I hope it is understood what is at stake. I also hope that the countries with the strongest and proudest cultural traditions have the greatest interest in protecting their own creators and cultural sectors in the AI-influenced future. I hope that these countries will understand that transparency rules in the AI ​​age will help them protect their own songwriters, artists and other creators and can be adopted without fear of stifling technology or innovation.

Read the statement on CISAC's website by clicking here.

About CISAC

CISAC is the international confederation of collective management organisations for creators in the fields of music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. CISAC protects the rights and represents the interests of creators worldwide, and has 225 member organisations in 116 countries, which together have more than four million creators as members. www.cisac.org