MEAA fronts Federal Parliament to stop AI’s ‘devaluing effects on journalism, artistic and creative work’
Members of the MEAA fronted the Federal Parliament on Friday morning where they called for strong workplace protections to regulate the use of AI in the creative and media industries.
The House of Representatives Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces heard from the union representatives, who called for an overhaul of workplace laws to ensure creative and media workers can have control over how AI is used in their work and how their data is used by employers.
“This is because of the increasing threats that AI poses to media and creative workers and, importantly, its devaluing effects on journalism, artistic and creative work and cultural institutions,” the union argued.
MEAA members also shared concerns about the use of AI in the workplace which is “being used to steal from and devalue the work of” numerous creatives.
Earlier this month, the MEAA called on the federal government to introduce a national AI Act to “force greater transparency and disclosure around the use of data and prevent theft of original works.”
It has also backed the need for an independent AI regulator to oversee a new monitoring and enforcement scheme.
“Australia must introduce an enforceable AI Act as a matter of urgency because we know that generative AI is already being used to steal the work of Australia’s artists, journalists, and creative workers,” MEAA CEO Erin Madeley said.
“We have seen cases where performers’ voices have been reproduced without their consent or compensation, while First Nations artists have had their styles replicated in AI-generated copycat works, again without permission or disclosure to buyers in the marketplace.
“AI theft is unacceptable – it devalues original work, diminishes Australia’s unique culture, and is a serious threat to public trust in important institutions, such as the media.
“The risk that AI will amplify misinformation and disinformation campaigns is also very real, and MEAA is calling on the federal government to act now as several international jurisdictions, such as Canada and the European Union, have done.”
The union has been dogged on this issue, launching its Stop AI Theft campaign in July, following a survey of MEAA members that found three-quarters were “concerned about the theft of intellectual or creative work”, 70% were “concerned about the proliferation of deliberately harmful content”, and two-thirds were “concerned about the loss of human-led creativity.” 59% were worried about AI-related job losses.
“Australia is behind the eight ball on AI and the companies profiting from other people’s work are taking advantage of that right now,” Madeley said.
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