Close to three quarters (73%) of EU citizens believe that generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) could negatively affect earnings for artists and creatives, a new Eurobarometer report has found.
The report, which examined attitudes to culture across the EU, also found that 81% of Europeans ‘prefer’ human-made content to AI-generated content.
Some 87% of respondents to the survey agreed that culture and cultural exchange should have a ‘very important place’ in the EU, with 86% answering that cultural heritage is ‘important’ for Europe.
Artistic freedom
Close to nine in ten (88%) said that artistic freedom is important to them, while 77% believe that artists in their country should be free to express their ideas and opinions.
Freedom of artistic expression was highest in Portugal and Finland, where 92% of respondents said that artists should have the freedom to express themselves without fear of censorship or retaliation, with high percentages also recorded in Sweden (91%), Denmark (89%), the Netherlands (87%) and Austria (86%). Cyprus (63%), Greece and Bulgaria (both 66%) were at the other end of the spectrum.
Participation in arts and culture
Close to half (49%) of respondents say that they have participated in some artistic activity, either on their own or as part of a group, over the past 12 months, a 12% increase since a similar survey was undertaken in 2013.
‘Europeans were asked to identify culture-related topics on which they believe the European Union and Member States should work more closely together,’ the report noted. ‘The most commonly reported topic is making arts and culture more accessible to everyone (45%); this is followed by protecting cultural heritage sites during wars, natural disasters, or climate change (43%); then respondents identified ensuring artists, and cultural workers have fair pay and good working conditions, at 42%.’
The findings of the report will inform the upcoming Culture Compass for Europe, a strategic framework for EU cultural policy. Read more here.
