Canada’s arts sector is facing a major crisis that strikes at the heart of artists’ intellectual property rights and their ability to make a living. The explosion of generative artificial intelligence technology is wreaking havoc across artistic disciplines, and as the technology continues to develop at a frenetic pace, funders, advocates, and policymakers fall further behind. The arts sector is running out of runway to have meaningful impact both in shaping Canada’s AI landscape and instituting their own policies and practices that safeguard artists’ intellectual property and livelihoods.

At the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC), we recognize the need to share information about AI, support skills development on its ethical use, and take a seat at many policy tables on behalf of our members.

As the opportunities and challenges cross geographic regions, we see this moment as simultaneously a local, provincial, and national ladder of opportunity. Together with our allies, MAC will research, convene, and advocate on the threat to existence for many creative professions that shape not only the arts sector but the lives of Canadians.

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Mississauga Arts Council is joined by the following Arts Organizations in our pursuit to protect artists from the harm of generative AI.