Creative Commons or Federated Data License?

Data is the cornerstone of ingenuity in the swiftly advancing realm of artificial intelligence (AI). Our users, those who believe the tenets above, are spearheading a critical reassessment of data governance in AI, advocating for a Federated Data License. This license is a testament to the ethical utilization, equitable distribution, and safeguarding of creative intellect within the AI sector.

Navigating the Terrain of Creative Commons

The spectrum of Creative Commons licenses has historically offered a structured model for content creators to delineate the permissible uses of their works. These licenses, recognized for their adaptability and lucidity, include specific stipulations identifiable by the acronyms BY, SA, ND, and NC. Each plays an essential part in the proliferation and application of creative content.

- The Attribution license (BY) mandates the acknowledgment of the creator, honoring the intellectual labor and originality infused in the work.

- ShareAlike (SA) ensures derivatives remain under similar terms, promoting an environment of collective innovation.

- NonDerivative (ND) prevents alterations to the work’s core essence, preserving the creator’s vision.

- NonCommercial (NC) restricts the use of works for profit, maintaining the works’ integrity for communal benefit.

These licenses have effectively served traditional creative fields, but AI’s unique nature calls for a more bespoke approach— a Federated Data License.

The Imperative for a Federated Data License

AI is intrinsically generative, learning from extant data to forge novel creations. While the Creative Commons licenses safeguard individual rights effectively, they fall short of addressing the distinctive generative aspect of AI. This gap is precisely where the Federated Data License becomes vital.

Enabling Ethical Innovation

Ethical innovation is imperative for visionaries and any others dipping their toes into the generative AI waters. A Federated Data License would lay down a definitive framework for AI developers, allowing ethical use of collective data. It would embody the spirit of BY, attributing the original data sources, while fostering AI’s generative nature under harmonized conditions that resonate with the collaborative essence of SA. This framework would ensure that AI’s new creations honor the contributions of original data curators.

Safeguarding Data Authenticity

In the AI sphere, the sanctity of data is critical. Mirroring the ND clause of Creative Commons, a Federated Data License would ensure AI respects the original data’s integrity, preventing misrepresentation or distortion of the foundational patterns and truths.

Harmonizing Commercial and Public Good

The Federated Data License would reconcile the commercialization of AI outcomes with public welfare, as inspired by the NC clause. It would pave the way for monetization that honors both data contributors and the community at large, ensuring just recompense and spurring innovation that propels societal advancement.

Advantages of a Federated Data License

A Federated Data License is not merely an alternative; it is an evolutionary necessity in generative AI for several reasons:

- Adaptability: It would be crafted to acclimate to the dynamism of AI, offering a resilient framework supportive of ongoing innovation.

- Harmonization: A singular license across the AI domain would mitigate the current jumble of licensing terms, simplifying compliance and understanding of data usage rights.

- Clarity in AI Training: It would dispel legal uncertainties in AI model training, emboldening more entities to engage in AI development confidently.

- Ethical Benchmarks: The license would embed ethical norms within AI development, ensuring alignment with societal values.

- Public Confidence: Commitment to ethical practices under such a license would enhance public trust in AI, a crucial element for its broader acceptance.

The Path Forward

Champions of generative AI view the adoption of a Federated Data License as a commitment to a future where AI as a force for human empowerment and innovation is pursued with profound ethical consideration. It is a recognition that the data we harness must be managed with the greatest care and foresight. Here’s the path we recommend:

1. Make a license. We have worked directly with Perkins Couie to create a Federated Data License that you can fill out and download for your business. Fill it out and route it around so that you are protected!

2. Sign up for the CCH and start learning PlantUML (a simple text-based system) to create data flow diagrams to help you understand where your data is going. To help you get started, we’ve created a diagram that walks you through questions you need to ask about your content and what you need to think about regarding your content’s usage for AI purposes. Check out the diagram. Or you can download the PlantUML text and edit it from HERE.