Tech firms should pay the creators whose work they use | Letter
Tech companies should compensate creators whose work they use before funding public initiatives, according to industry leaders.
The call comes as Anthropic proposes committing 5% of its shares to a fund for 'public good,' raising questions about who should benefit from technological progress. Industry executives argue that before funding public initiatives, AI companies should first compensate creators whose work they utilize.
Device Manufacturers' Responsibility
Device manufacturers share a similar responsibility, as their products enable creative work to be copied and stored. Unlike in more than 40 other countries, UK creators receive no private-copying payments, despite their work being integral to technology adoption and engagement.
Smart Fund Proposal
The proposed Smart Fund would require manufacturers and importers to make modest contributions on devices used for copying or storing creative work. It could generate up to £300m annually, providing creators with additional income and supporting cultural programs and affordable workspaces.
For creators on persistently low and falling incomes, these payments would make a tangible difference.
Declining Creator Earnings
Visual artists' median annual earnings have fallen 47% in real terms since 2010 to just £12,500. Authors now earn a median of £7,000 from writing, down from £11,300, while audiovisual performers report median annual earnings of £17,500 from performing.
The executives emphasize that creators' work attracts people to technology, sustains engagement, and drives innovation. They argue that creators should share in the value their work helps generate to continue the creative cycle.
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