# The Rising Dilemma of AI and Content Creation
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Threat
In today's digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) companies are raking in billions by utilizing content created by individuals without proper acknowledgment or compensation. Recently, I tried to republish one of my articles from Medium on Vocal Media, a platform I frequently use. Historically, I ensured to credit my original Medium post, but this time, Vocal's curators rejected my submission. The reasoning? They claimed my article was generated by AI.
This revelation left me puzzled. I had crafted the article entirely by myself, drawing from my own thoughts and experiences. However, Vocal's algorithm misidentified my work as AI-generated. It took me some time to understand the broader implications of this issue affecting content creators across the internet.
“This is theft, not plagiarism.”
Indeed, this is not merely a matter of plagiarism; it’s a profound injustice. Every day, we see our articles appropriated without acknowledgment, and we are deprived of the credit, compensation, and consent that we, as authors, rightfully deserve.
Section 1.1: The Mechanism of Theft
Have you ever pondered how AI generates text, images, and videos? Essentially, AI companies operate like research labs, utilizing vast amounts of information that humans have already shared online. Consequently, the content produced by AI is often a rehash of the creative works of individuals like you and me. These algorithms sift through the wealth of human knowledge available on the internet, extracting and repurposing it as if it were their own. Meanwhile, the companies behind these technologies are profiting immensely.
If this is news to you, it’s high time to recognize the seriousness of the situation. AI must be regulated, and the organizations that own these technologies need to implement measures ensuring that, when AI conducts research, the original authors of the content utilized are properly credited and compensated. Otherwise, we risk our articles being viewed thousands of times without any recognition or reward.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Financial Stakes
According to sources cited by Reuters in December 2022, OpenAI projected revenues of $200 million for 2023 and $1 billion for 2024. Moreover, in January 2023, the company was negotiating financing that would value it at $29 billion—double its worth in 2021.
What does this mean for content creators? While these companies secure significant investments, the authors whose works serve as the foundation for their technology often remain unaware of their existence.
Section 1.2: A Personal Encounter
My own experience revealed the extent of this issue. Shortly after my article was published on Medium, it was flagged as AI-generated. The surge in AI-driven research based on existing content is impacting our work, resulting in potential copyright violations. If any previous material exists that overlaps with our ideas, the algorithm may mistakenly attribute our original thoughts to AI, deeming them as pre-existing content.
Chapter 2: The Broader Impact on Creators
Consider this: individuals from countries like Brazil, India, and Thailand search for updates on the Medium Partner Program. The results they encounter will likely point to articles authored by creators like us. If these users choose to leverage AI to produce content on the platform, the generated articles may inadvertently echo ideas that have already been shared long ago.
Where lies the danger?
Prominent creators such as Tim Denning also face similar challenges. They repost their original Medium articles on personal blogs and platforms like Substack or NewsBreak. If an AI search algorithm identifies their work as generated by AI rather than recognizing it as original content, they too could face copyright issues.
It’s imperative that we remain vigilant and aware of these developments.
The Scary Threat of AI on Science - YouTube
This video delves into the alarming implications of AI on various fields, including the potential risks posed to original content creation.
The A.I. Dilemma - March 9, 2023 - YouTube
Explore the intricacies of the AI dilemma, examining how technology affects human creativity and the ethical considerations surrounding it.