There is a strong consensus on the need for updated AI regulations and a pressing need for AI oversight, with many expressing skepticism about the current U.S. government approach.
These were the results of a Collibra and Harris Poll survey of 300 data management, privacy and AI decision makers, which indicated a demand for reforms including updating copyright laws to safeguard against AI misuse (84%).
There was notable support for requiring Big Tech companies to compensate individuals for data used in AI training models (81%), as well as support for both federal (76%) and state (75%) regulations to manage AI development.
Privacy and safety concerns (64%), misinformation (57%) and ethical use (57%) were cited as the top threats driving the call for AI regulation.
The survey also found 88% of decision-makers have significant trust in their own companies’ AI strategies, and 75% believe their companies prioritize AI training and upskilling.
Larger organizations comprised of 1,000 employees or more said they were more likely to agree with this sentiment compared to smaller firms employing between 1-99 workers.
Collibra CEO Felix Van de Maele noted AI has disrupted and changed the technology vendor/creator relationship forever.
“The speed at which companies big and small are rolling out generative AI tools and technology has accelerated and forced the industry to not only redefine what ‘fair use’ means but retroactively apply a centuries old U.S. copyright law to 21st century technology and tools,” he said.
He added while each case and claim that these content creators have brought against technology companies is unique, they all prove two things: Current U.S. copyright laws are not equipped to protect creators against AI-related inaccuracy, misinformation and discrimination and data is, and always will be, a precious commodity in the AI world.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Copyright Office released Part I of its findings and recommendations on the legal and policy issues at the intersection of AI and copyright.
One of the key areas addressed was the potential harm for human creators’ works.
“The office believes that existing protections are sufficient, but they are not,” Van de Maele said. “Content creators deserve more transparency, protection and compensation for their work.”
Data is the Backbone of AI
He explained data is the backbone of AI, and all models need high quality, trusted data – like copyrighted content – to provide high quality, trusted responses.
“It seems only fair that content creators receive the fair compensation and protection that they deserve,” he said.
The survey indicated high trust in companies’ AI direction, but low trust in government and Big Tech.
“The AI Roadmap introduced by Senator Schumer in May might as well have been called the ‘Big Tech Roadmap’ because it clearly benefited Big Tech and their interests,” Van de Maele said. “We have yet to see concrete and consistent plans from the government when it comes to regulation and governance.”
He pointed to the White House memo M-24-10, released in March, which laid out how the US government and agencies should approach AI, but not private business.
“IP theft and copyright infringement cases have opened the eyes of the tech and AI industries and unfortunately, content creators have been left with little to no rights or control when it comes to how their data is being used by technology companies,” he said.
Van de Maele said to help close the trust gap, policymakers must look beyond the influence and interests of large technology companies and bring more voices to the table to ensure that legislation protects and considers all users and use cases.
“If our talent pool creating the technology and tools is diverse, so should be the decision makers behind how the technology and tools are regulated and governed,” he said.
