‘CLEAR Act’ Would Force AI Companies to Disclose Inputs
In a significant move towards transparency in the tech industry, Senators Adam Schiff and John Curtis have unveiled the CLEAR Act. This proposed legislation mandates that tech companies disclose the copyrighted works used to train their AI models.
Key Provisions of the CLEAR Act
If enacted, the CLEAR Act would require tech companies to submit a notice to the Register of Copyrights detailing the copyrighted materials employed in the training of their AI systems. Notably, these notifications must be filed prior to the public release of new AI models. Additionally, companies would be required to submit retroactive notices for AI models that are already available to the public.
The U.S. Copyright Office will be responsible for developing an open and accessible database of these disclosures, enhancing transparency regarding which works have influenced specific publicly available AI models. Companies that fail to comply with these requirements could face civil penalties.
Statements from Senators
“While AI has the potential to improve our lives and change the way we work and innovate, we need a unified approach to implementing guardrails that protect the work and livelihoods of all workers, including artists and creators,” stated Senator Schiff. He emphasized the importance of human creativity as the backbone of the cultural economy.
Senator Curtis added, “Congress must help encourage AI innovation, but not without transparency and accountability. The CLEAR Act strikes the right balance by protecting creators’ intellectual property while providing clear expectations for companies.”
Bipartisan Support and Advocacy
Despite being newly introduced, the CLEAR Act has garnered bipartisan support, along with endorsements from numerous creator advocacy organizations. These include:
- Copyright Alliance
- SAG-AFTRA
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
- Writers Guild of America (WGA) East and West
- Directors Guild of America (DGA)
- American Federation of Musicians
- National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA)
- National Music Publishers Association (NMPA)
- SoundExchange
- Authors Guild
- Artists Rights Alliance
- Television Academy
- Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
The Urgency for Transparency
The Copyright Alliance expressed the need for transparency concerning the use of copyrighted works in AI models. They advocate for legislation that requires clear disclosure to protect the rights of copyright owners and ensure ethical AI development.
“Transparency regarding the ingestion of unlicensed copyrighted works by businesses that offer generative AI systems will help ensure that the rights of copyright owners are respected,” the Copyright Alliance stated. They highlighted that proper transparency benefits both copyright owners and AI developers in addressing issues related to infringement and compliance with licensing terms.
In conclusion, the CLEAR Act represents a crucial step towards ensuring accountability and responsibility in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, protecting the interests of creators while fostering innovation.
