Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is one of many writers expressing deep disappointment after discovering that his books were likely used by Meta, the technology company, to train artificial intelligence (AI) models without his consent. Adams stated that his books were utilized without his permission, and he has now handed the case over to his lawyers.
This issue came to light following an investigation by The Atlantic magazine, which revealed that Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, likely used data from the Library Genesis (LibGen) website, a digital library offering millions of pirated books and academic articles for free. The data collected from LibGen was subsequently used to train Llama, Meta’s generative AI system, which is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.
Meta itself claims that it “respects third-party intellectual property rights” and believes that using such data is “consistent with applicable law.” However, this statement has failed to calm the outrage from authors who feel their intellectual property has been violated.
Reactions from Authors
Writers around the world have begun to realize that their works may have been used without consent by large tech companies. Many of them feel disappointed, angry, and even betrayed. When BBC News NI explored the LibGen database published by The Atlantic, several Northern Irish authors were found, including Jan Carson, Lynne Graham, Deric Henderson, and Anna Burns, a Booker Prize winner.
Michael Taylor, a historian from Ballymena, revealed that two of his books, The Interest and Impossible Monsters, appeared in the database. He described Meta’s actions as one of the largest and most lucrative copyright violations in history. He added that very few authors can live off their book sales, and when their work is taken without compensation, the impact is devastating both morally and financially.
Impact on the Academic World
It’s not just fiction writers who are affected—academics have also found their work involved. Professor Monica McWilliams, a scholar and former politician, expressed shock upon discovering that more than 20 of her works, including research on domestic violence and gender conflict in Northern Ireland, were available on LibGen and likely used for AI training.
McWilliams argued that this action violates the basic principles of the academic world, such as respecting sources and maintaining data authenticity. She added that most of the royalties from her writings were donated to charities like Women’s Aid. By having her works taken without consent, the organizations relying on these funds were also harmed.
Protests from the Literary World
Glenn Patterson, a Belfast-based writer, also voiced his frustration. In an interview with BBC Radio Ulster, he called the incident a blatant infringement of copyright. He urged the public and creative communities to voice their concerns to lawmakers, as he believes this issue is crucial for the future of creators’ rights.
Claire Allan, a writer from Londonderry who has published more than 20 novels, told BBC Radio Foyle that all of her work over the past two decades appeared on LibGen. She called the experience “very distressing and disappointing,” as every book is the result of hard work and dedication.
A Collective Call to Action
The protests have not been limited to individuals but have also taken the form of collective action. In London, authors gathered for a protest against Meta’s actions. Prominent literary figures such as Kate Mosse, Richard Osman, and Val McDermid signed an open letter addressed to UK Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy. They urged for Meta to be summoned to Parliament to account for this alleged widespread copyright violation.
Richard Osman, through a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), pointed out that copyright law is clear: if you want to use someone else’s work, you must ask for permission first. Without consent, such actions are considered legal violations.
Osman acknowledged that challenging a massive corporation like Meta would be a difficult task, but he is optimistic that the writer community can mount a significant opposition. This call has also received support from writer unions like the Society of Authors, which is active in advocating for and protecting creators' rights.
Ethics and the Future of Copyright
As AI technology continues to advance, tech companies stress the need for vast amounts of data to train systems to be more accurate and efficient. However, many believe that the demand for such data should not override ethical considerations and legal frameworks, particularly when it comes to the use of copyrighted content.
Meta’s Llama system works by identifying patterns in textual data to predict the next word in a sequence. While this technology may seem sophisticated, critics argue that AI systems like this lack contextual understanding or awareness, making them prone to generating incorrect information.
Critics argue that taking content without permission and using it for AI training is a form of exploitation. Artists, writers, and academics feel their contributions to technological advancements should be recognized and fairly compensated, rather than being used solely for the profit of tech giants.
Conclusion
This case marks a critical point in the global discussion about the boundaries between technological innovation and the protection of intellectual property. If tech companies continue to take content from the internet without permission, it’s the creators, the individuals who dedicate their lives to producing valuable work, who will suffer the most. This is why many are calling for governments to implement new regulations to ensure that creators’ rights are protected amid the rapid development of AI technology.
Writer : Chrycentia Henryana
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