Priority to Human Creators

Human imagination, not algorithms, powers Basket. Today, we wish to respond to a recent article in The Guardian discussing authors who publish blank books as a form of protest against AI-generated content. The article highlights how some writers, frustrated by the rise of AI-generated works and the unauthorised use of their material by AI systems, have chosen to publish intentionally blank books. This act serves both as a statement about the devaluation of creative labour and as a call for greater awareness and protection for human authors. While we acknowledge the growing significance of AI in future endeavours, at Basket, our focus remains on valuing people and creativity above technological solutions. A recent report by the Authors Guild estimates that writers have lost tens of millions of dollars in potential earnings due to AI systems freely ingesting and replicating their work without their consent. (Authors Guild Submits Guidance for National AI Action Plan to Protect Writers’ Rights, 2025) This figure underscores the urgency of protecting creative professionals. As a writer on Basket and Dpanos.com, my primary motivation is personal development rather than recognition. Works such as The Mansion, Lonely, Les Coeurs Sombres lumineux, and Le Capet have emerged from this commitment to human inspiration.

We invite our readers and supporters to stand with us in taking concrete action. Together, we can encourage policy changes that honour the contributions of writers and artists.

At Basket, we support the protest movement initiated by 10,000 writers opposing AI firms that appropriate creative work without consent. (Milmo, 2026) The process of developing ideas and writing a book can take months or even years, and it is often arduous. Despite this effort, many published books do not achieve the recognition or success they merit. (Lessons From Successful Book Launches, 2025) I encourage readers to empathise with writers: imagine sitting at your computer, accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee, listening to the sounds of birds outside. The faint hum of your computer fills the room, while a dull ache begins to form in your wrist after hours of typing. After considerable effort, you discover your idea and begin writing. Nine months later, after significant dedication and perseverance, your book is published, yet it does not meet your expectations for sales or financial reward. Furthermore, once your work is available online, AI firms may exploit it without compensation. This scenario is a reality for writers globally. The challenges of writing lead many talented individuals to abandon their craft. (Jin et al., 2025) It is unjust for AI firms to appropriate the hard work of writers without permission or remuneration.

Beyond raising our collective voice through protest, we also believe in concrete, practical steps toward fairness. One policy change we advocate is the introduction of compulsory licensing fees: AI companies would be required to pay writers and their publishers whenever they use creative works to train their systems, just as platforms in the music industry pay royalties. (AFP, 2024) This would create a transparent system that compensates creative professionals for the value their work brings to emerging technologies, ensuring that protest translates into lasting change.

At Basket, our concerns extend beyond writers to include the music industry as well. Before an artist announces a new album on social media or through interviews, few consider the significant time and effort required to create it. Personally, I had to pause work on The Mansion due to a lack of inspiration, but I am now prepared to begin writing Part 2. Inspiration is essential for all artists and creators. When facing emotional challenges, such as heartbreak, creativity can be hindered. While AI can generate essays or music on demand, these outputs often lack genuine emotional depth. If i was a parent, I would discourage my children from relying on AI for academic or creative tasks. It is important to consider the implications for writers, composers, and artists if AI-generated content becomes dominant. In the fields of art, literature, and music, we must prioritise human creativity and collectively oppose the unauthorised use of creative work by AI.

At the same time, we believe that advances in AI can be used to empower creators when developed ethically and in partnership with creative communities. We envision a future where AI acts as a supportive tool that enhances rather than replaces human talent: by helping with research or routine tasks, AI can free up more time for artists to focus on meaningful expression. There are already promising examples of ethical AI initiatives emerging. For instance, platforms like Spawning allow artists to opt out of data sets used for generative AI training, giving them direct control over their intellectual property. Tools such as Endel collaborate with musicians and compensate them whenever their sounds are used in AI-generated music. The Adobe Firefly project also commits to training its AI on content from licensed and openly available sources, ensuring fair compensation to contributors. (Shanklin, 2023) If AI tools are designed transparently and compensate creators for their contributions, both technology and art can move forward together, creating new opportunities for collaboration while ensuring fairness.

Platforms such as Meta allow users to opt out of sharing their work with Meta AI, and we encourage our supporters to value and support human artists.

We pledge to champion and protect the creative spirit in every field, to support writers, artists, and musicians as they strive to bring original work into the world. Together, we stand united in advocating for the rights of creators and in building a future where human expression is always at the forefront.

There are many ways for our community to make a difference. Share the stories of your favourite writers and artists to help amplify their voices. Reach out to policymakers to express your support for fair compensation and stronger protections for creative professionals. Purchase books, music, and artwork directly from creators whenever possible. Join or support organisations that advocate for creators' rights, or offer constructive reviews and encouragement to inspire others. By taking these actions, we can all contribute to a culture that celebrates and values the contributions of human creators.

Join us in this shared commitment so every voice and vision can shine.

References

(2025). Authors Guild Submits Guidance for National AI Action Plan to Protect Writers’ Rights. The Authors Guild. https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-submits-guidance-for-national-ai-action-plan/

Milmo, D. (March 10, 2026). Thousands of authors publish ‘empty’ book in protest over AI using their work. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/10/thousands-authors-publish-empty-book-protest-ai-work-copyright

(2025). Lessons From Successful Book Launches. Doug Franklin Books. https://dougfbooks.com/writing/book-launches/

Jin, Y., Yang, K., Martinez-Maldonado, R., Gašević, D. & Yan, L. (2025). The Agency Gap: How Generative AI Literacy Shapes Independent Writing after AI Support. arXiv preprint. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2507.04398

AFP. (November 22, 2024). HarperCollins strikes AI training deal with unnamed company amid rising copyright tensions between publishers and AI firms. Fortune. https://fortune.com/europe/2024/11/22/publishing-giants-strike-deals-ai-companies/

Shanklin, W. (May 23, 2023). Universal Music Group Partners with Endel for AI-Generated Wellness Soundscapes. Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/universal-music-group-partners-with-endel-for-ai-generated-wellness-soundscapes-183951335.html