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AI and Publishing: Copyright Battles, Transparency, and Ethical Questions S1 EP32
Description
In this episode of Bot Boundaries, co‑hosts Jackie and Katie are joined by Meghan Stevenson, a publishing expert, entrepreneur, ghostwriter, and former editor at Simon & Schuster and Penguin. Along with helping authors land deals with major publishers, Meghan brings a unique perspective on the intersection of AI, copyright, and publishing—and what it means for the future of creativity.
They explore the growing debate around how LLMs source and learn from content and why it has become such a contentious issue for authors and publishers. The conversation dives into copyright, consent, disclosure, and transparency, examining how trust is evolving between writers, readers, and publishers.
They close with their Love It or Leave It segment, weighing in on the latest controversies surrounding AI training and intellectual property. They also discuss efforts by major music labels and artists like SZA to protect creators' rights, and what accountability should look like as AI continues to reshape industries like publishing and music.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bot-boundaries/id1867232401
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TLKXXC3qnZ48UGkaT8DsQ?si=d026514efbc14203
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@botboundaries
Follow us on Instagram: @BotBoundaries
Follow us on TikTok: @BotBoundaries
Follow us on LinkedIn: @BotBoundaries
Our website: www.botboundaries.com
Connect with Meghan: www.meghanstevenson.com
Follow Meghan on Instagram: @MegStevenson
Chapters
03:16 How LLMs source their content and ethical debates
04:35 Legal issues around AI training data
05:36 Acceptable AI assistance in early creative stages
06:19 AI clauses in publishing contracts
10:19 Copyright infringement and transformation in AI-generated content
12:44 Publisher responsibilities and standards for transparency
15:26 Self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional publishing
17:21 Leveraging traditional publishing for impact and credibility
18:39 Using AI in marketing and promotion of books
28:13 AI's role in social media and audience engagement
34:41 Future of transparency and ethical standards in AI-assisted publishing
36:33 SZA speaks out about use of songs in AI Training Data Sets
Reference links to explore topics discussed in this episode:
https://pitchfork.com/news/sza-kenneth-blume-decry-use-of-their-songs-in-ai-training-data-sets/