The Korea Publisher Society has announced a set of principles concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in publishing, specifically targeting the rise of mass-produced "click-to-publish" books. This initiative aims to maintain trust in literary works in the AI era by delineating human responsibilities throughout the publishing process.
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During a policy forum at Mapo Central Library in Seoul on Tuesday, the Society introduced the “Principles for the Use of AI by Publishers and Authors for Readers,” which comprises five chapters and 20 articles. This collaborative effort involved eleven organizations, including the Writers Association of Korea and the Critics Alliance, establishing voluntary guidelines that could influence future legal and institutional measures.
The principles emphasize that humans are essential in the creation and accountability of books, differentiating between authors and AI. Yoon Sung-hoon, chairman of the Publisher Society’s AI Future Strategy Committee, stated that AI should be regarded solely as a tool and that its use in publishing must be transparently communicated to readers. He also highlighted the importance of obtaining consent from rights holders if publications are used as AI training data to ensure fair compensation.
A panel discussion addressed specific measures to support these principles. Ryu Young-ho from Kyobo Book Centre noted that publishers should have clear grounds and procedures for restricting distribution if there is a failure to disclose AI involvement. Translator Hong Han-byul stressed the need to clarify the responsibilities of translators in an AI-driven environment, advocating for the protection of translation copyrights.
Chairman Hong Young-wan of the Korea Publisher Society emphasized that these standards are not meant to reject AI technology or stigmatize AI-generated content. He reiterated the importance of revising relevant legislation, such as the Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Act and the Copyright Act, to ensure that the publishing industry can fully benefit from these discussions.