Thank you to all the SoA Members who participated in this evening’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) – to the 505 Members who joined us online, to those who spoke, and to everyone who voted.
We discussed and voted on three resolutions – on artificial intelligence, on ending fossil fuel finance in the books industry, and on a proposed SoA statement on Gaza.
An EGM is a crucial part of the SoA’s democratic process. It provides a space where views can be shared and debated, and is designed for a range of voices to be heard and for the SoA membership to propose and have a say in key decisions.
We know that many Members care deeply about the issues discussed this evening, and have been particularly concerned about the outcome and next steps on Resolution 3, on a proposed SoA statement on Gaza.
But no matter what your views on each of these issues, and no matter how you voted, the SoA must represent all of its Members – and this remains our priority.
We hope that everyone who participated this evening felt that the agenda was managed with fairness and clarity.
Results of voting
1,929 members voted, either by proxy before the meeting or live on the night. Voting was managed securely online by Mi-Voice,
The results of voting on Resolutions 1-3 were as follows:
- Resolution 1 – on artificial intelligence
CARRIED — 97% FOR (1,833 FOR / 52 AGAINST) - Resolution 2 – on ending fossil fuel finance in the books industry
CARRIED — 85% FOR (1,480 FOR / 251 AGAINST) - Resolution 3 – on a proposed SoA statement on Gaza
NOT CARRIED — 53% AGAINST (786 FOR / 883 AGAINST)
The SoA’s board of directors and staff team will now review the implications of these results and will update members in due course.
Resolution 1
Resolution 1, proposed by the SoA board (Management Committee), asked Members to vote to assert that they do not consent to the use of their works being used to develop generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
A majority of Members voted FOR Resolution 1.
Since 2022, members of the SoA’s policy team have been working on a range of areas related to generative AI – lobbying industry and government, working with industry partners in related creative fields, and understanding member concerns – while the SoA advisory team have dealt with increasing numbers of queries and issues that members have faced due to the new technology.
With this new mandate from members, we will start to plan how we can most effectively challenge AI developers on your behalf.
Download the text of Resolution 1 below.
Resolution 2
Resolution 2, proposed by 31 Members and supported by the SoA board, asked Members to vote for the SoA to lobby for a responsible end to fossil fuel investment in the books industry.
A majority of Members voted FOR Resolution 2.
Following this vote, the staff team will work with the SoA board and the Sustainability Working Group to plan next steps.
The amended text for Resolution 2 linked below was approved by the proposers and the Management Committee.
Resolution 3
Resolution 3, proposed by 66 Members and opposed by the SoA board, asked Members to vote for the SoA to make a statement on Gaza. The Management Committee voted by majority to oppose Resolution 3 and advised members to vote against it.
A majority of Members voted AGAINST Resolution 3.
We appreciate that discussions around Resolution 3 have been particularly challenging. But although many Members care deeply about the issues raised in the Resolution, there is no consensus among you. Ahead of the EGM, while some expressed frustration that the SoA has not already made a statement on Gaza, others have described Resolution 3 itself as ‘divisive’ and‘alienating’.
This evening’s vote confirms that division.
Although a majority of Members voted against Resolution 3, we cannot overlook the fact that many of you (over 47% of those who took part) voted for it. The SoA is your trade union, whichever way you voted.
This Resolution 3 paper linked below includes the recommendation from the SoA board for Members to vote against the resolution, and information to support that recommendation.
