January 2024 Action Alert

"Model Collapse" by author

Below are some actions you can take this month to protect artists' from having our work stolen to train generative AI:

FTC Tech Summit

On Thursday, January 25, 2024 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a Tech Summit from noon to 4:30 p.m. EST (or 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. PST). The FTC, which has taken Big Tech to task over how generative AI harms consumers and businesses and even submitted a comment that should give all artists hope to the U.S. Copyright Office has stated that the goal of the summit is to "facilitate a dialogue amid a dynamic innovation landscape." This summit is open to the public. It's time to do our part and to help the FTC help us. Please show up and make your concerns known! Details about the summit can be found here.

Shareholder Activism

Hollywood Reporter's Alex Weprin reports that, thanks to the good old AFL-CIO, if you own Apple or Disney shares, you may get to vote on whether these corporations must disclose how they use generative AI and "any ethical guidelines they have adopted regarding its use." (Union strong!)

Apple's annual shareholder meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PST (noon EST). You can find out how to attend here.

It's unclear when Disney's annual shareholder meeting is. However, if you are a Disney shareholder, it will likely be announced here.