Between 2024 and 2025, we surveyed writers and publishers in our community on their attitudes toward AI.
Between Thursday, 28th November 2024 and Tuesday, 14th January 2025, CLNZ surveyed writers and publishers in our community about their attitudes toward AI. We gathered a total of 120 responses during that time, and are pleased to provide a summary of the results below.
The first section of the survey sought to identify the audience. Of the 120 complete responses, most participants identified as writers (81%), and this group is predominantly composed of authors, academics, poets, and scriptwriters. Publishers (19%) were largely independent publishers, academic publishers, and publishing houses, with a small set of data from self-publishers and audiobook production.
The second section of the survey requested information about attitudes toward and experience with generative AI systems. Generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, produce responses to questions and instructions (prompts) provided by users. These systems can do this because they have been trained to recognise works and patterns of words. The training process involves the ingestion of millions of documents into the system. The final part sought responses regarding compensation and possible forms of AI licensing.
On the whole, Aotearoa's writers and publishers are concerned about their works possibly being used to train AI (71%). More than half are unsure if their work has already been used to train AI. Of those who know that their work has been used to train AI models, most did not consent to this use (73%).
Some have strong feelings against AI and its use because it is perceived as an affront to intelligence and the human soul. In contrast, others strongly advocate for creators to embrace and use AI. Writers and publishers believe there is a limited understanding of the risks associated with AI. They call for greater guardrails against the misuse of AI, more public forums and education about AI, and increased transparency from Big Tech.
The results of this survey reflect those from other major licensing bodies here and overseas. In 2024, APRA AMCOS surveyed their community and found:
The overwhelming majority of music authors and creators in Australia and New Zealand demand attention, consent, credit & transparency and remuneration when their work is used in the context of generative AI in music.
Click here to read the key findings from their report. Similarly, results from The Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (UK) survey highlight concerns about AI usage, transparency and remuneration. Click here to read their report.
Consultation will continue with other groups in our creative community. CLNZ believes that the future is not “any AI at any cost”. Responsible AI manages copyright and should reward creativity, not misappropriate it.
For more on our approach to AI, click here.