This is the subject that has crystallized debates since the emergence of online generative AI. The ChatGPT and Dream Machine algorithms may well produce “creations” increasingly convincing, they draw from an opaque pool. As a result, some authors criticize the abusive use of AI in text generation. A few months ago, George RR Martin called for tougher regulations. The movement had been followed by other actors and actresses from all walks of life, ranging from voice dubbing to comedy.
For Microsoft, the web is free
In an interview with the American channel CNBC, Microsoft AI boss Mustafa Suleyman has delivered a very personal definition of intellectual property on the web. While rights advocates and legislators are struggling to find a consensus on the thorny subject of copyright on creations generated by artificial intelligence, the businessman has, on the contrary, considered that what is freely accessible online belonged to everyone.
Asked whether or not AI software was stealing global intellectual property, Mustafa Suleyman replied: “I think when it comes to content that’s already on the open web, the social contract since the 90s has been that it’s fair shared use. Anyone can copy it, recreate things with it, reproduce it“.
OpenAI in the sights of justice
Nothing very surprising in this position. Microsoft is currently the target of several lawsuits over OpenAI. The leading global AI company is notably accused of stealing content to power its own text generation algorithm. Indeed, if the web giant and its senior officials seem to think that content accessible free online belongs to everyone, this is far from being the case.
Every work created, every content published online is automatically copyrighted. The situation is valid in France, the United States, and in most countries of the world, without question. Conversely, creations generated by artificial intelligence do not belong to anyone, and cannot — for the moment — be the subject of any claim of rights.
Especially since the use “fair” and reasoned mentioned by Mustafa Suleyman does not concern that made by AI companies, which churn out thousands of protected contents every day, without knowing to what extent these will be used to feed their algorithm.
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