One of the common arguments made by technology companies is that training an AI system mirrors the way humans learn. However, the difference is fundamental.
While people take away subjective impressions from what they read or hear, AI models create precise digital copies of entire works. These copies are then analyzed and reproduced — often without the knowledge or consent of the original authors. Moreover, AI does not undergo any inner experience or cultural filtering; it lacks consciousness and personal context. Its ability to absorb and process enormous volumes of data in a short time has no true equivalent in human learning.
This has significant implications for copyright law, as the use of protected works without a license — disguised as “learning” — can easily amount to an infringement.