Extractive uses of openness and commercial generative AI

As open scholarship expands access to knowledge, it also raises urgent questions about ownership, control, and who ultimately benefits from “openness”. This 90-minute virtual panel, hosted by Simon Fraser University’s Open Scholarship Framework initiative, brings together leading practitioners and researchers to examine the intersection of intellectual property, intangible heritage, licensing, and the increasingly extractive uses of openly available research by commercial generative AI. 

The discussion explores how open licenses shape reuse, where they fall short, and how power imbalances can emerge when access does not translate into equitable participation or benefit. Panelists reflect on current licensing frameworks, institutional practices, and global perspectives on knowledge sharing, highlighting both the promise of openness and the risks of unreciprocated reuse.

Panelists:

• Jennifer Zerkee - Copyright Specialist, SFU
• Monica Granados - Director of Open Science, Creative Commons
• Paulo Rená - Researcher, Instituto deReferênciaem Internet e Sociedade
• Mark Pickup -  Open Scholarship Initiative, Simon Fraser University (moderator)