The world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to be more governed with more rules around to keep a check on content copying. The lawmakers are taking a step towards establishing rules for the age of artificial intelligence.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, led by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, recently introduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media (COPIED) Act.
The COPIED Act targets a specific concern in the growing world of AI-generated content: traceability. The bill proposes a standardised method for watermarking AI-generated content, making it easier to identify the original creator.
The COPIED Act will mandate AI tool providers to equip their software with watermarking capabilities. This embedded code would contain information about the origin of the AI-generated content. This watermark won’t just be a marker; it will be tamper-proof. The COPIED Act aims to make this information unremovable, ensuring creators retain control over how their work is used, even after it’s been generated by AI. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will be tasked with developing the watermarking methods and data standards used for AI-generated content. This standardisation would ensure consistency and ease of use.
Those in support of the Act argue that it’s essential for protecting intellectual property in the age of AI. With AI capable of generating realistic and creative content, creators need a way to ensure they’re given credit for their work, even if the final product is from a machine.
The Act has also garnered some criticism. Some argue that it hinders creativity and innovation by making AI-generated content less adaptable. Others express concerns about potential restrictions on open-source AI tools.
The COPIED Act represents an initial attempt to grapple with the legal and ethical issues surrounding AI-generated content. As AI technology continues to evolve, discussions surrounding ownership, attribution, and manipulation of AI-created works are sure to continue.