My name is Cassidy Bunn, I am 18 years old and an art student from North Wales. Ever since I was a child, my dream has been to become an exhibiting fine artist and painter. The world of art was a realm where I pictured myself creating, expressing, and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural life. However, with the rapid rise in generative artificial intelligence (AI), this dream, which once seemed within reach, now feels threatened and uncertain.

Generative AI is capable of producing artworks, music, and written content that rivals human creation. While advancements in technology are often beneficial, the unregulated growth of AI poses significant challenges to creative industries. Artists like me face the risk of being overshadowed by machine-generated works, leading to potential identity loss, career setbacks, and economic disadvantages.

Consider this: a report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) highlighted how AI’s involvement in creative domains has doubled over recent years. The ramifications are evident; art platforms and galleries now have to contend with digital pieces generated instantly by algorithms, reducing opportunities for human artists to showcase their work.

We need the UK Government to take decisive action by setting up protective legislation to shield the careers, identities, and livelihoods of those within the creative sectors. Artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives should have a say in how AI is integrated and utilized within their industry. This legislation could include mandates for fair attribution, copyright protections for human-created content, and clear distinctions between AI-generated and human-created art.

Championing the cause of creatives not only secures jobs and individual futures but also preserves the cultural and emotional richness that human creativity contributes to society. Our creative legacy deserves intentional safeguarding against the unchecked rise of technology that was not designed to replace human ingenuity but to complement it.

Let us stand together to urge Parliament to discuss this pressing issue and provide the necessary frameworks to protect our creative future. Sign this petition to ensure that young artists like myself, and countless others across the UK, can continue to dream and create freely in an environment that values and respects their contribution to the cultural landscape. Your signature can be the catalyst for change. Together, we can call for the preservation of human creativity in the age of AI.