A recent survey by the Association of Photographers (AOP) has revealed a startling statistic: 58% of photographers have lost work to generative AI. This survey, conducted among AOP members, highlights a significant impact on the industry. With an estimated 3,000 members, 20% (600) responded, indicating a 10% year-on-year income increase despite a concerning decline in commissions and published images. The data shows a 46% decrease in publicly visible photos online, which the AOP attributes to concerns over illegal scraping of their work. Even more alarming is the 65% reduction in commissioned images being licensed by AOP members. This equates to a substantial financial loss of £1,012 million ($1.4M) or £34,900 ($48,000) per person. One AOP member shared a grim experience, noting a business turnover decline of over 60% from the previous year. The survey also underscores photographers' desire for compensation, with 98.4% seeking payment for past infringements by AI companies. Transparency in AI training is a priority, as 85.3% want rightsholders to opt-in for AI training purposes, rather than opt-out. This sentiment is further emphasized by the 89.9% who are uninterested in licensing their images for machine learning and the 96.1% who advocate for mandatory labeling of AI-generated works. The AOP's concerns are shared by other creative organizations, who have united to lobby the British parliament. They collectively refer to generative AI as 'the greatest act of theft in modern history', emphasizing the silent, invisible, and global nature of the digital destruction it causes. The survey and subsequent report, 'Brave New World? Justice for Creators in the Age of Generative AI', highlight the urgent need for action to protect the rights and livelihoods of creators in the face of this technological advancement.
