This may seem like a long post, but I wanted to share it here because I think it's relevant. I've been in the software/cyber security industry for thirty-six years and have pretty much seen every license under the sun.
A lot of us use AI for things like research, but I do know that some people use AI for plot points or blurbs or what have you. I won't judge people for how they use it. But I want to share some caution, especially for those who are self-published.
Before you use an AI platform for anything, you want to check the terms of service carefully. Here are two examples of AI terms of service. One is OpenAI which I consider an ethical and safe company to use with respect to whether I share any of my own material with the platform. The other is ElevenLabs, which has an onerous and extremely broad license. Some of you will notice similar language that we managed to force from the terms of Findaway Voice.
OpenAI does not license your work, nor does it hold a license for any output generated by your work. You own all of that.
ElevenLabs, on the other hand, takes a license to do with your content whatever they want, and worse than that, you're paying them for this privilege.
These license terms from ElevenLabs are predatory but not uncommon in the industry. So, when you use AI for Voice Generation (not recommended because it will get you blacklisted by SAG), or you use it for research, or you use it for editing purposes (i.e., Grammarly, Pro Writing Aid), you need to research the terms of service. Interestingly enough, if you have questions about what you're giving away by using a product, paste the terms of service into ChatGPT and ask it to explain it in layman's terms. It's pretty good at it.
NOTE: Neither Grammarly nor PRowriting Aid have these kinds of predatory licensing terms and are extremely clear about what they use input for and how long they hold it.
Full Disclosure: I'm not an attorney, nor am I acting as one. If you have concerns, always consult an attorney.
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