Action is needed to protect workers in creative industries due to significant changes in technology and artificial intelligence, unions have stated. The TUC emphasized the urgent requirement for “proper guardrails” for various creative professionals, including artists, writers, journalists, teachers, and academics.

The TUC indicated that current government proposals regarding copyright and AI need to be strengthened to better safeguard creative workers. They called for transparency in AI training data, allowing workers to know if their data or images are used. There should be an opt-in system for creative work against commercial data mining, and measures should be in place to ensure fair compensation for creative workers when their work is used to train AI models.

The report also recommended establishing an independent regulator to oversee AI’s integration into society and the workforce. The TUC warned that without sufficient regulation, tech corporations could exploit creative workers for profit. They stressed that creative professionals must influence how their work is used and ensure they are paid fairly.

Paul Fleming from the Equity union urged the stopping of the theft of performers’ and artists’ work by large tech companies. Emma Reeves from the Writers’ Guild warned that writers’ work is being taken without consent, which infringes on copyright laws. Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, stated that balancing AI advancements with creator rights is essential and that he would not support changes unless they benefit creators.