Government considers AI law to safeguard news publishers, content creators
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed a media outlet that the proposed law may be introduced as an independent legislation or included in the Digital India Bill
Sumit Rawat
The government is contemplating the introduction of fresh AI legislation aimed at protecting the interests of news publishers, content creators, and ensuring user safety. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, disclosed to the media that the proposed law would prioritize balance and robustness in safeguarding rights.
According to Vaishnaw, the law intends to foster equitable revenue distribution among news publishers, content creators, and AI-driven technologies while fostering innovation. He highlighted that the legislation could either stand alone or be integrated into the upcoming Digital India Bill, poised to supersede the Information Technology Act of 2000.
Emphasizing the importance of a smooth transition, Vaishnaw underscored the need to avert disruptions, considering the livelihoods of millions. He affirmed that the law would uphold creativity by addressing intellectual property and financial concerns, a stance endorsed by industry stakeholders.
The minister revealed that preliminary consultations with tech entities have yielded consensus on the need for legislative intervention rather than relying solely on self-regulation. Formal consultations are slated post-elections, paving the way for legislative action.
The AI Conundrum
Globally, there's mounting pressure from news publishers and content creators to curb AI's encroachment on copyrighted material. Notably, prominent media outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, CNN, and Reuters have already restricted OpenAI's access to their content, with the former contemplating legal action.
In India, news publishers have taken a stand against tech firms leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to develop generative AI tools. Over 70% of Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) members have limited access to Microsoft-backed OpenAI. Additionally, Dainik Bhaskar and Amar Ujala have prohibited AI and tech firms from using their content without explicit consent.
Publishers have accused tech giants like Google of exploiting their content without equitable revenue sharing. This sentiment was echoed by the digital head of a leading TV channel, emphasizing the disparity between content creation costs and revenue generation by AI platforms.
