SIYU Zurich Central Switzerland Section

The room was packed, and the 40 or so participants on site (and 38 webinar attendees) at the KI event, which took place on 9 April at the Photobastei Zurich, were correspondingly excited. They were not disappointed: the experts - Chantal Bolzern, lawyer, Philip Kübler, Director of ProLitteris and Christoph Schütz, photographer and former coordinator of AG Lichtbildschutz - provided a competent introduction to the current legal situation of photography and AI with their input presentations. 
 
It also became clear in the subsequent discussion about the complex situation surrounding AI - much is unclear, and it could already be too late for many topics, as machine learning is already underway. This was demonstrated by questions such as at what point in time photos are considered AI-generated or whether AI images should be labelled. Currently, AI images are not protected because they are not an intellectual creation. So should AI images be protected by copyright? Opinions differed.  However, there was agreement that purely AI-generated images should be clearly labelled. 
 
One suggestion made people sit up and take notice: Photographers could indicate on their website that they do not agree to AI generators being trained with their images. It was also suggested that an online forum be set up to give members the opportunity to submit their unanswered questions. The intensive evening, which challenged everyone in terms of content, ended with a fantastic aperitif riche and numerous other small group discussions. The event was organised and moderated by Beat Ernst, SIYU Copyright and Legal Commission.