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by Christina Zhu-Weaver, Chief Strategy and Fun Officer at Robosen Robotics

Amid the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence, a pivotal dialogue emerges, focused on the ethics and equity of AI development. At the heart of these discussions, one critical question often lingers in the shadows: should we provide rightful compensation to the writers and creators whose imaginative works form the foundation of AI system training?

AI for Humanity: Insights from Hollywood Writers
In a recent enlightening conversation with a distinguished group of Hollywood writers, I had the opportunity to uncover a few profound insights on this question. Our discourse delved deep into the core of AI’s potential, its intricate interplay with human thought and creativity, and the necessity to reward content creators equitably for their roles.

Writer Ron Friedman, celebrated for his contributions to animated television shows such as G.I. Joe, The Transformers, and the Marvel Action Hour, featuring beloved American superheroes like the X-Men, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man, had a great deal to say in this discussion. Friedman viewed content creators as essential partners in AI, contributors who deserved compensation for their efforts. “If we grasp the concept of AI as an extension and expansion of human thought, for which we must supply the heart, pulse, emotion, morality, and philosophy as co-equal working partners …I firmly believe we all shall prosper mightily and do universal good, if we recognize our eternal interdependence and play fair.”

Friedman’s sagacious words encapsulate the essence of AI’s potential in the service of humanity. This vision underscores the imperative of aligning AI with human values and principles, fostering mutual prosperity and the pursuit of universal good.

Christina Zhu-Weaver and Ron Friedman

Acknowledging the Unseen Contributors
I stand behind Friedman and fellow content creators. Writers, poets, and content creators occupy a pivotal role in shaping the datasets upon which AI models are constructed. Whether providing text for natural language processing models, scripting dialogues for chatbots, or contributing content for algorithms, human-generated textual data serves as the lifeblood of AI training. Unfortunately, these creators often remain in obscurity, their toil and creativity exploited without due recognition or remuneration.

It is not uncommon for AI developers to scour the vast expanses of the internet for publicly available textual data, including books, articles, and websites, to train their models. However, the ready availability of such data does not diminish the sweat, time, and talent invested by the original creators. Each word written, each story woven, and each idea articulated, embodies a piece of intellectual property deserving of respect.

Constructing the Argument for Compensation
● Recognition of Intellectual Property: Writing, akin to any form of creative expression, constitutes intellectual property. Authors and content creators deserve acknowledgment and compensation when their work contributes to the training of AI models. This reflects the fundamental principles of copyright and intellectual property rights.

● Fairness and Ethics: Equitably remunerating writers and creators transcends mere legal obligations; it is a moral imperative. Offering fair compensation for their invaluable contributions upholds the ethical standards we should aspire to in AI development.

● Incentives for Excellence: Compensating writers for their role in AI training data
creation fosters incentives for the generation of high-quality, well-researched, and precise
content. The knowledge that their efforts will be justly rewarded encourages creators to
share their invaluable contributions.

● Supporting the Creative Community: The creative community, encompassing writers and content creators, constitutes an indispensable facet of our society and culture. Acknowledging their contributions through compensation for AI training data offers vital financial sustenance to this community.

The Call for Legislative Action
In addition to recognizing the vital importance of equitable compensation, we must champion legislative action. Collaborative efforts between Congress and interested parties should result in the updating of existing laws to safeguard the intellectual property rights of writers in the ever-evolving AI landscape. This encompasses revisiting copyright laws, delineating explicit guidelines for the protection of intellectual property within AI training data, and establishing equitable compensation standards adaptable to diverse AI applications and industries.

Charting a Path Forward
Amid our exploration of AI’s transformative potential, we must not lose sight of the writers and creators whose words and creativity propel this technological revolution. The time has come to wholeheartedly recognize their invaluable contributions and ensure they receive just compensation. Advocating for the equitable remuneration of writers whose works underpin AI development transcends the realm of mere fairness; it embodies a commitment to the principles of creativity, reverence for intellectual property, and ethical AI advancement. This approach guides us toward a future where innovation and AI coexist harmoniously, benefiting both creators and the broader AI community, ultimately serving the greater good of humanity.

Christina Zhu-Weaver is the Chief Strategy and Fun Officer at Robosen Robotics, an innovative AI and robotics company celebrated for its groundbreaking work in entertainment and companion robots. In collaboration with industry giants like Hasbro and Disney, Robosen Robotics has introduced revolutionary creations, including the world’s first AutoTransforming Transformers Optimus Prime, Grimlock, and interactive Buzz Lightyear – beloved American superheroes and characters. The company’s mission is to bring happiness to humanity while driving innovation in the entertainment industry.

Christina’s diverse career spans corporate leadership, venture capital, startups, and bridging connections between the US and Asian markets. Her extensive experience has honed her ability to identify strategic opportunities and navigate complex business landscapes. In 2016, during the early days of the Electric Vehicle industry and in anticipation of the direction of cleantech, Christina demonstrated her visionary thinking as a strategic advisor by championing a proposal for a strategic partnership between Tesla and a major Chinese automotive manufacturing city. The proposal introduced a pioneering model termed the “Three Networks” (comprising the smart grid, intelligent charging stations, and an intelligent transportation network) and “One Car (utilizing Tesla cars as data sensors)” ecosystem, featuring diversified revenue streams. This forward-thinking initiative not only aligned with China’s sustainability goals and Tesla’s mission for sustainable transport but also laid the foundation for the future development of AI-empowered autonomous driving.

Christina is an alumna of Stanford Graduate School of Business and a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. She holds multiple securities licenses, including Series 63, 7, and 79 Securities, and is a licensed CPA in both New York and California. Beyond her role at Robosen Robotics, Christina serves as the President of the California Software Professional Association and co-founded Y-Labs, a non-profit youth business accelerator dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurship among underrepresented youth in America. She is also a cultural broker and has hosted and moderated numerous national and four international summits. She enjoys working at the intersection of technology and business, having earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in business. In addition, Christina’s deep appreciation for cultural diversity in America stems from living with her family in various parts of the US, including Arkansas, Texas, New York, and Washington. She now calls Silicon Valley her home, where she resides with her technologist husband and two children.