The federal government announced a new advisory council to help it protect Canada’s creative industries from rapid advancements in AI, as the first National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture wrapped up in Banff on Tuesday.

The Advisory Council on AI and Culture — a joint venture between Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon and Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller — will consist of 12 rotating members across creative and technology fields. None have been appointed yet.

“We want a permanent way that, one, our ministries work together; two, that we codify the kind of stories and information that are here; and three, that we have a way that we can deal with ongoing issues,” Solomon said.

The three-day summit held at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity brought together more than 300 artists, technology leaders, researchers and policymakers to explore how AI is changing Canada’s creative industries and what challenges need to be addressed.

Among several topics, panellist Margaret McGuffin, CEO of Music Publishers Canada, said copyright issues are top of mind for artists.

“AI in the arts is all that I’m talking about these days, specifically around music. The tech companies who are developing AI often forget to talk to the creators, the songwriters, the people who own the songs. And what we’re looking for is a future where we could embrace their AI, but have us into the conversation much earlier,” she told CBC News.

“We want to talk about transparency. Build your AI so you know what you’re using in your datasets. That’s ethical, that’s responsible, and that’s gonna make sure that songwriters are paid.”

McGuffin said there’s concern and panic amongst artists around the ways in which AI can upend or harm their practice. 

“You’re really busy as a creative entrepreneur putting your career together and then this hits [generative AI], and it just seems like one more thing that’s out of your control,” she said. 

“I’m much more positive. I see the first deals coming in, and I think we need to incentivize AI companies to pay songwriters.”

WATCH | A new program from the Calgary Public Library draws heated criticism:

Calgary Public Library’s call for AI artists met with real life backlash

The Calgary Public Library is looking for an artist who ethically uses AI to create their work. One person will be chosen for a 10-week residency. The new program has received a fair amount of backlash, including from Calgary’s mayor.

At a media availability, Miller said Canadian copyright law is already clear that artists’ work needs to be respected.

“Intellectual property reform is a complex issue that goes over and above artificial intelligence, and it is a multi-year process,” he said.

“But the current copyright law does and should protect those that have created material, and people need to be compensated properly.”