India Plans New AI Law to Safeguard Media and Content Creators: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Indian government, led by Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is taking proactive steps to address copyright concerns in artificial intelligence (AI). To safeguard news publishers and content creators from potential infringements by AI companies, the government is planning to introduce a new AI law.

Protecting Rights and Sharing Proceeds

Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the need for an AI law that balances fostering innovation and safeguarding the rights of content creators and news publishers. The proposed legislation aims to ensure fair treatment and equitable sharing of proceeds between creators, publishers, and AI companies, particularly those developing Large Language Models (LLMs) and similar technologies. "good space for innovation", the AI law would be "strong on securing the rights and sharing the proceeds" between content creators, news publishers and companies developing AI technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs). The minister said, "There is a transition happening. Our position is that the transition should not be disruptive because lakhs of livelihoods are involved. "

The forthcoming AI law will prioritize creativity, addressing both financial and intellectual property considerations. While specific details are yet to be finalized, the legislation may integrate into the broader framework of the Digital India Act, proposed to modernize India's digital governance landscape.

The minister said, "One thought is to form a self-regulatory body. But we don't think that would be enough. We think that this regulation should be done by legislative method. We have already consulted the industry. After elections, we will launch a formal consultation process and move towards legislation."

AI Laws Addressing Copyright Concerns

The move to enact an AI law comes amidst ongoing legal battles between news publishers and AI companies. Major publishers like The New York Times have filed lawsuits against AI developers, alleging copyright infringement related to the use of their articles in training AI models. These legal disputes underscore the need for clear regulations governing AI usage and content ownership.

Notable Cases and Controversies

The legal disputes between news publishers and AI companies have garnered significant attention. The Times' lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft highlights the complex issues surrounding AI and copyright infringement. Similarly, renowned authors such as John Grisham and Jodi Picoult have raised concerns about the fair use of their copyrighted works in AI training.

OpenAI's Response and Ongoing Debate

OpenAI, a prominent AI research organization, has defended its practices, asserting that it had prior knowledge of using copyrighted materials and dismissing the lawsuits as lacking merit. However, the contentious nature of AI development and content ownership persists, fueling ongoing debates within the industry.

India's proposed AI law represents a proactive effort to address emerging challenges in the AI landscape. By establishing clear guidelines for content usage and rights protection, the legislation aims to promote innovation while safeguarding the interests of creators and publishers. As discussions surrounding AI regulation continue, the proposed law signals India's commitment to fostering a fair and transparent AI ecosystem.