Canadian Entertainment Industry Rings AI Alarm Bell: Employment and Reputation Risk
Citing concerns about employment and reputation, the Canadian entertainment industry, consisting of actors, musicians, and directors, is expressing apprehension about the impact of artificial intelligence on their fields. These industry groups are now proactively urging the Liberal government to implement appropriate safeguards in its AI legislation, reported Anja Karadeglija of The Canadian Press.
Industry association ACTRA contended that excessive utilisation of AI might lead to misuse of personal names and images in AI-generated videos, potentially replacing human actors. “Our brand lies in our reputation, including our name, image, and likeness. Getting or not getting a job can hinge on minor things such as one’s reputation,” said Eleanor Noble, ACTRA’s national president.
Interestingly, this outcry echoes the concerns of entertainment professionals in the United States. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, also drew criticism from the Directors Guild of Canada, who pointed out its potential to essentially duplicate an author’s work without known consent or adequate compensation.
In the realm of copyright law, the subject of generative AI remains fuzzy in Canada. A series of high-profile lawsuits have cropped up in the U.S., while the Canadian Liberal government has recently undergone a consultation concerning copyright and generative AI. As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, Music Canada suggested the labelling of AI-generated content for clarity.
Bill C-27, dubbed the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, proposes regulations on “high-impact” AI systems and is anticipated to have necessary amendments to include the advanced generative AI technology. Foundational to these proposed changes includes the need for companies to label AI-generated content explicitly.
These industry groups argue that their members have not received proper compensation for use of their work by generative AI systems. Similarly, efforts to license music for AI use have progressed, but agreements ensuring proper compensation have not yet been put in place.
A further exploration into the impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry can be found at MakingMusic101.com.
