Trade unions tell CRTC not to count AI-generated content as a canon

The CRTC may not classify material that has been generated by artificial intelligence As Canadian content, trade unions told those actors and writers represent the regulator on Thursday.

The alliance of the Canadian cinema, television and radio artists said that “under no circumstances” would be considered a Cancon.

“Otherwise it is a betrayal for our artists who have already seen their moral rights and jobs that are limited by AI,” said national President Eleanor Noble.

The trade union of the actors appeared on a two -week hearing of the Federal Broadcast Regulator to consider how to modernize the definition of Canadian content. The CRTC had asked for input about the impact and role of artificial intelligence as part of that process.

Noble said that AI is used a lot in dubbing and insisted on the CRTC to “protect the livelihood of Canadian artists.”

Marie Kelly, the national executive director of the organization, said that there is appropriate use of AI, such as the use of the technology to make a stunt look more dramatic and to keep the performer safe.

“But we are against where the AI ​​generates performance,” she said.

Kelly said ai “would not take over the jobs of the makers in the ecosystem in which we are located and we should not treat AI-generated artists as if they were a Canadian actor.”

The Writers Guild of Canada, which appeared during the hearing on Wednesday, also claimed that AI-generated content should not be considered as Canadian content.

The definition of the CRTC of Canadian content is based on the allocation of points when Canadians occupy important creative positions in a production. It is considering maintaining that system and expanding it to make more creative positions count for the total points.

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The Union of the Schrijvers said in his written entry that AI is not consistent with that approach. “Machines have no citizenship. They do not live and live in Canada, nor any other national jurisdiction, because they do not ‘live’ or ‘live’,” said it.

The group argued that the use of AI systems by a Canadian does not make the output Canadian either.

“Encouraging a generative AI is not the same as creating content. It is fundamental and overwhelming the AI ​​technology that generates the output, not the person who introduces the instructions,” said their entry.

Crediting the AI ​​user with the output of the AI, said the group, would be as “the credit of the Sixtine chapel ceiling to Pope Julius II, because he ordered his painting, instead of Michelangelo, who actually had it and painted it.”

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