February 19, 2025: The Graphic Artists Guild welcomes the introduction of Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR Act) by Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Senator John Curtis (R-UT). This bipartisan bill seeks to enforce transparency in generative AI training datasets, and in doing so, promotes an ethical approach to the training of generative AI models while reinforcing the value of copyright.

The CLEAR ACT would require generative AI platforms to submit to the Register of Copyrights a notice of the works used in the development of training datasets. The Act also requires the Register to publish a publicly available database of the notices, and gives copyright holders a path to bring civil action if the AI company fails to supply the required notice.

“Honesty is the first step toward accountability. If generative AI companies are building billion dollar systems on the backs of creative professionals, the very least they can do is disclose what they’re using. The CLEAR Act moves us in the right direction by requiring notice and public reporting,” states Carl Cleanthes, Graphic Artists Guild Advocacy Co-Chair. “It establishes something we’ve been asking for all along — Transparency. You can’t build ethical AI in the dark.”

By requiring transparency and accountability from AI platforms, the CLEAR Act empowers graphic artists by giving them a way to know when their work has been used – without their permission – for AI training. It is the first step in establishing a foundation of responsible innovation that respects the rights of working artists.

Graphic Artists Guild, Inc. (GAG) has advocated on behalf of illustrators, graphic designers, and other graphic artists for fifty years. The Guild educates graphic artists on best practices through webinars, Guild e-news, resource articles, and meetups. The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines raises industry standards and provides graphic artists and their clients guidance on best practices and pricing standards.