The International Authors Forum (IAF) was pleased to participate in the CISAC General Assembly 2026 in Paris, which this year marked the 100th anniversary of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).
Bringing together creators, collective management organisations (CMOs), policymakers and industry leaders from around the world, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate a century of collective action in support of creators while addressing one of the most significant issues facing the creative sector today: artificial intelligence.
The week began with IAF’s participation in the DLVRG meeting, where experts from different regions discussed recent developments in AI and their impact on the audiovisual sector. Despite differing approaches across jurisdictions, there was a strong shared commitment to ensuring that authors’ voices remain central to the debate and that transparency, consent and fair remuneration underpin future AI governance.
These themes continued throughout the General Assembly. A recurring question was: What makes human creativity unique in the age of AI?
In his keynote address, CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus reflected on the fundamentally human nature of creativity. While AI can analyse patterns and generate content, art remains rooted in lived experience. A song, poem or story is more than data or mathematics; it is testimony to a life lived and a perspective shared.
Speakers across the various panels emphasised that innovation and creators’ rights must go hand in hand. Discussions focused on the need for stronger transparency measures, effective legislation and greater international cooperation to ensure creators retain control over how their works are used and are fairly remunerated when their content contributes to AI systems.
It has also been highlighted that many of today’s challenges are not entirely new. As CISAC Director General Gadi Oron noted, technological change has always required creators and collective management organisations to adapt. The core mission remains the same: bridging the gap between the use of creative works and fair remuneration for creators.
IAF also attended the meeting of the Alliance of Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Writers and Directors (APAA) as an observer. The discussions offered valuable insights into developments across the region and demonstrated the growing commitment of audiovisual organisations to strengthening support for creators and responding collectively to AI-driven change.
The message emerging from the week was clear: protecting human creativity in the age of AI will require persistence, advocacy and collaboration. One hundred years after its founding, CISAC continues to champion a mission that remains as relevant as ever, defending creators’ rights, strengthening collective action and ensuring that creators are recognised and fairly rewarded for the value they bring to society.
IAF is proud to stand alongside CISAC and its members in advancing these shared objectives and congratulates CISAC on reaching this important centenary milestone.
