Patreon‘s CEO, Jack Conte, asserts he is not opposed to artificial intelligence, an stance he views as essential given his role.
Speaking at the SXSW conference in Austin recently, Conte emphasized that as the head of a technology company, he acknowledges AI’s role. However, the platform founder expressed strong reservations about AI firms utilizing creators’ work for model training without providing remuneration, dismissing their “fair use” justification as “unfounded.”
During his SXSW address, Conte framed AI as the latest in a series of disruptive shifts creators have navigated throughout the internet era. He drew parallels to transitions such as music purchasing moving from iTunes to streaming, or video adapting to TikTok’s vertical format, suggesting AI will undoubtedly challenge existing creative models. Nevertheless, he conveyed optimism that creators will ultimately prosper.
Conte, who founded Patreon to address the challenge he encountered as a musician – ensuring creators are compensated for their work – shared a crucial lesson learned: “As an artist, I discovered a vital truth: change is not synonymous with an end. You can recover and push forward.”
He reiterated his conviction that AI companies should not be permitted to appropriate creators’ content for training their models without offering some form of payment.
Referencing what he termed his “manifesto,” Conte declared, “AI companies assert fair use, but this argument lacks merit.” He elaborated, “It’s baseless because even as they contend it’s justifiable to use creators’ work for training data, they simultaneously engage in multimillion-dollar agreements with major rights holders and publishers such as Disney, Condé Nast, Vox, and Warner Music.”
He pointed out that if AI companies’ fair use defense were legally robust, they would not be compensating these substantial rightsholders.
Conte posed a rhetorical question: “If its usage is legal, why provide payment?” He further questioned, “Why compensate them, but not the millions of illustrators, musicians, and writers whose efforts have been consumed by these models, contributing to hundreds of billions of dollars in value for these corporations?”
It’s evident that Conte also seeks to secure a portion of these remunerations for Patreon’s vast creator community. He is leveraging Patreon’s considerable influence as a platform supporting hundreds of thousands of creators to champion this cause.
Conte further clarified that his critique of AI companies’ actions does not stem from an opposition to AI, technology, or even change itself.
Conte stated, “I embrace the certainty of change, and I find purpose in charting my course through the ensuing disorder. There’s even an element of excitement in this challenge.” He continued, “Nonetheless, AI companies ought to compensate creators for our contributions, not because the technology is flawed — but because much of it is, or soon will be, excellent, and it represents the future. As we envision humanity’s trajectory, we must also consider society’s artists, not merely for their benefit, but for the collective good. Communities that cherish and foster creativity are inherently improved by it.”
The presentation concluded optimistically, with Conte conveying his conviction that human beings will continue to create and appreciate the work of their peers indefinitely, regardless of AI’s advancements in this domain.
Conte remarked, referencing the predictive capabilities of large language models (LLMs), “Exceptional artists do not merely reproduce existing content. They build upon the achievements of predecessors, propelling culture onward.”