AI development sparks debate over humanities and copyright

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is prompting critical discussions regarding the future of humanities and the legalities of data usage. Public affairs director Aisén Etcheverry has raised concerns about the potential precarization of social sciences and humanities. She argues that professionals such as philosophers, historians, and teachers risk being relegated to secondary roles, such as “algorithm trainers” or customer service, rather than utilizing their specialized training.

Parallel to these sociological concerns, the economic and legal landscape of AI development is shifting. A significant agreement between Anthropic and a group of authors, reportedly worth approximately US$1.5 billion, suggests a move toward compensating creators for the use of copyrighted works in training models. This development challenges the assumption that all available digital content can be used freely for AI training, highlighting the need for licensing and remuneration mechanisms that balance technological innovation with intellectual property rights.