A delegation of MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) travelled to Los Angeles, from 26 to 29 May, to learn first-hand about the impact of AI and other digital transformative technologies and innovations on the culture and creative industries and the news media sector.
The delegation met with representatives of film and music studios, streaming platforms, labour unions representing writers, directors, actors and other industry professionals, public media representatives and Congresswoman Laura Friedman.
“Our constructive meetings shed light on a broad range of common concerns with our US interlocutors, such as possible incentive systems for the film making industry to produce locally,” MEPs said in a joint statement.
Making the most of disruptive technological advancements or tackling the potential risks brought on by the use of AI – in particular deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and threats to creators’ interests – are common challenges the EU and US culture and creative industries face. MEPs also observed a willingness to put in place solutions allowing the sectors to thrive mutually on both continents.
The interlocutors the MEPs met referred to the fact that the major film studios prefer contractual relationships on copyright, rather than privileging a regulatory approach. In addition, they learned about the new protections for creative workers brought about by the 2023 writers’ strike, the Human Artistry Campaign, and the NO FAKES Act aimed at preventing the unauthorised use of faces and voices.
Concerning the music sector, MEPs discussed how to better support and protect artists against possible AI-generated threats, improve the exposure of their work, investment, and representation of diverse musical works across platforms. The challenges brought on by transformative digital technologies, MEPs said, need to be tackled through fit-for-purpose regulatory provisions, clarifying guidelines, and efficient enforcement tools.
“Our meetings clearly showed that the EU provides best practices in the field and has a leading legislative role in addressing these challenges, notably with the AI Act that has been welcomed by numerous stakeholders,” MEPs said. ”In the current evolving digital landscape, we consider our visit to Los Angeles as a highly useful and enriching way to foster transatlantic collaboration based on open and constructive dialogue in the culture and creative sectors. United, we are stronger in facing the challenges AI poses for culture and the creative sectors.”
The delegation was led by Nela Riehl (Greens, Germany), and included Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (EPP, Poland), Manuela Ripa (EPP Germany), Hannes Heide (S&D, Austria), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D, ES), Catherine Griset (PfE, France), Ivaylo Valchev (ECR, Bulgaria), and Laurence Farreng (Renew, France).