AI and Copyright: A conversation with Rachel Sweeney

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon sit down with Rachel Sweeney, Scholarly Communications Librarian at Bucknell University, for a deep and candid conversation about how generative AI is reshaping scholarship, copyright, authorship, and trust in academic knowledge.Drawing on her background in documentary filmmaking, copyright, and publishing, Rachel explains why the scholarly record is so difficult to define—and why generative AI poses such a profound challenge to it. Together, we explore fair use, authors’ rights, AI hallucinations, fabricated citations, predatory journals, data scraping, and the market impact on creators and scholars across disciplines.Rachel also shares practical guidance for faculty, librarians, students, and researchers who want to use AI responsibly while protecting the integrity of their work.This is a timely and essential conversation for anyone navigating the pressures and promises of AI in higher education.Key Topics CoveredRachel’s nontraditional path from filmmaking to scholarly communicationsWhat the “scholarly record” is—and why defining it is so complexHow generative AI companies have used copyrighted materials in trainingThe explosion of AI-generated content and its impact on academic publishingWhy recursive AI training produces “AI slop”How attribution breaks down when AI scrapes content without citing itCopyright fundamentals and the limits of fair useReal-world examples from Hollywood, journalism, and academiaThe rise of fabricated citations and nonexistent DOIsClass action lawsuits involving monographs and AI scrapingHow scholars and students can verify sources and protect their workWhy ORCID, DOIs, and Google Scholar profiles matter more than everEthical considerations for using AI in teaching and learningThe market impact on early-career professionals and creative workersPractical tips for responsible, thoughtful, academically honest AI useReflection Question for ListenersHow can faculty, librarians, and students use AI more thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly at your institution?We invite you to reflect on this question with your colleagues and teams and consider how these insights can shape your academic and organizational practices.Featured GuestRachel Sweeney Scholarly Communications Librarian Bucknell UniversityMid-Roll PromotionABCs of Murmuration with Kathy Hagler & Robin Graham Helping leaders create healthy, adaptive, connected organizations. Learn more at: abcsofmurmuration.comJoin us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more aboutThe Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education