We have become aware of a feature in The Atlantic yesterday (18 November 2024) which reported that dialogue from films and TV shows has been used by companies to train AI systems. We are also aware that some of our members have found their work in the searchable database tool that The Atlantic has published online.

According to the Atlantic report, the files within this data set are subtitles taken from a website called OpenSubtitles.org

You can view the Atlantic report and use the search tool to see if your work has been used here.

Writers are rightfully angry and concerned about this news. WGGB strongly opposes this wholesale rights grab of writers’ work and has been campaigning and lobbying hard on this issue. You can read our policy position statement on AI here and in our manifesto Putting writers at the heart of the story.

We believe that writers must be fairly compensated for use of their work in this manner and that there should be licensing agreements to cover this practice, at the discretion of writers. We are also calling for a regulatory body on AI and strengthened copyright protections, among other recommendations to protect writers.

If you are a WGGB member and you have found your work in this database, please contact casework@writersguild.org.uk and we will advise you on next steps to take.

Thank you to our members who brought this issue to our attention.

Photo: Shutterstock.com/PixelsHunter