A nationwide study conducted by the Copyright Licensing Agency has uncovered potential copyright infringement risks in the workplace.

Conducted among 4,000 professionals in the UK, the study reveals that, of those who do use GenAI tools in the workplace, 82% have used third-party content in prompts for AI tools. While many UK employees acknowledge the potential risks associated with using third-party material in GenAI tools, a large proportion include this content in their prompts, often potentially infringing copyright.

The study found that more than half of UK employees now use GenAI tools at least weekly, and only 24% report a strong understanding of the copyright terms and conditions of the tools they use. Further, the CLA uncovered that although 77% of respondents acknowledge these risks, less than half are concerned about the potential implications of including this content.

“As generative AI becomes an integral part of the workplace, it’s critical that its use is underpinned by lawful and ethical practices,” said Tom Cantle, research and insight manager at CLA. “Our research shows that employees are enthusiastic about GenAI’s potential but need clearer guidance on how to use it responsibly.”

As organisations embrace GenAI to enhance efficiency and productivity, many are still developing policies to support its responsible use. Just over 60% of the staff polled believe their organisation has a formal policy in place governing GenAI use, according to the study. Further, around 15% of workplace GenAI users are thought to be using these tools without explicit permission.

In response, CLA has expanded its corporate and public sector licences to include new workplace generative AI permissions. Taking effect from May, these permissions will allow licensed organisations to use published content in prompts for approved enterprise versions of GenAI tools.

Mat Pfleger, CEO of CLA commented: “Generative AI, like previous technological advancements, presents significant benefits for our customers but also introduces new risks and challenges regarding the lawful use of copyrighted material by employees.”

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