Summary:
The exposure of the Book3 data set, which included unauthorized Australian titles used to train AI, has forced writers to confront the challenges they face in an increasingly digital world. In response, the Copyright and AI reference group has been established to address these issues. This article explores the perspective of late author Frank Moorhouse, who recognized the influence of technology on the industry and fought against copyright infringement.
Frank Moorhouse, born in 1938, was deeply interested in the intersection of technology and literature. Having witnessed the rise of radio, television, and computers, he understood the potential impact on the act of reading and writing. Moorhouse accurately predicted a future where people would be constantly connected to the world through technology. He referred to writers as “blacksmiths of this century,” recognizing the potential obsolescence of their profession.
Moorhouse’s understanding of technology’s extension of the human body led him to fight against copyright infringement. He was involved in campaigns advocating for authors’ rights and emphasized the need to update laws to keep pace with technological advancements. From the photocopy machine to digital technology, Moorhouse realized that each new development required a reevaluation of copyright regulations.
His landmark copyright case against the University of New South Wales highlighted the need for protections in the face of advancing technology. He recognized that the ability to copy entire books and libraries at an industrial scale posed significant threats to authors’ livelihoods.
Unfortunately, Moorhouse did not live to see his books included in the recent Book3 dataset. This dataset, labeled by Richard Flanagan as “the biggest act of copyright theft in history,” further emphasizes the urgency of addressing copyright issues in the age of AI.
Moving forward, the establishment of the Copyright and AI reference group aims to find solutions to these challenges. Moorhouse’s legacy serves as a reminder that literature cannot be outsourced to generative AI. The future of the industry lies in recognizing and protecting the struggles and triumphs of human creativity, as documented in literary biographies.