I report a lot on AI here, and I know authors have strong opinions on the subject. Draft2Digital, one of the most popular platforms for indie authors, is now addressing these concerns at a time when it’s becoming almost unavoidable to have a clear policy on how companies might try to use the books available through their platform.
ALLi News Editor, Dan Holloway
Against this background, Draft2Digital has just launched an initiative to do what would seem to be a sensible first step. They are surveying their authors to gather opinions about AI. Specifically, they want to know how authors feel about the potential licensing of their works to large language models.
The survey covers three particular aspects of authors’ opinions on AI. The survey covers three different areas, each seeking authors’ opinions with a fair level of granularity. First of all, there are questions about different kinds or purposes of large language models (commercial or research-based, for example). The most interesting data set will be the finance-related one. Draft2Digital wants to know how much authors would consider reasonable for the licensing of the rights to use their work if, indeed, anything would be considered. The range is sufficiently wide and sufficiently detailed to make some fascinating reading.
Legal and Moral Standpoint
Finally, there’s a really interesting question that asks authors to reflect on both their legal and moral standpoint. By disambiguating the two, it is possible for people to express the opinion that the law may allow something, but they still consider it bad practice.
I have seen some speculation about why Draft2Digital might be engaging in a survey like this right now. I was pleased to note the comment from the company’s vice president of Author Success, Nick Thacker. He was clear that D2D has no pre-existing agenda on AI. Instead, they wanted to ensure they had a clear picture of what their authors thought in case any large language models were to make an approach regarding rights.
If you have received a request to take part in the survey, it feels like it would be worth your time.
The licensing cost would be huge – We have to ask, what if AI borrowing my style earns someone a best seller novel – off of my style and work? How would I be compensated? A one time license wouldn’t work, unless the payout is potentially millions.
The issue is simple: AI allows one to plagiarize. This is unethical. If you want to be a writer, learn to write. It’s really not all that hard to learn, merely time consuming. There’s no end of “how to write a novel” books out there.
AI simply rewards the lazy, at the expense of stealing the wording and styles of established authors.
And every web site service that offers AI novel writing services runs the risk of being hit by class action law suits by authors who don’t want to be stolen from.
Nip it in the bud. Do not do this. Take a stand against AI writing services.