[gumballindie]

> creating factual statements about the work

All digital content is statements about the work. Pictures are pixels with facts about colours. Books are characters describing the words.

AI models are compressed versions of those.

Downloading, ingesting into models, and redistributing them is copyright infringement.

Even if they weren’t compressed; downloading them without permission is not permitted. Every now and then you can read about ai criminals discussing techniques for illegally acquiring books, images and other protected content even here on HN. It wouldnt be an issue if it were licensed content, or a dudette training her local ai. These are companies that want to monetise people’s work. Somehow, just like thieves, they feel they are entitled to snatching someone else’s property.