Should artists whose work was used to train generative AI like ChatGPT be compensated for their contributions? Peter Deng, VP of consumer product at OpenAI — the maker of ChatGPT — was loath to give an answer when asked on SXSW’s main stage this afternoon.

“That’s a great question,” he said when SignalFire venture partner (and former TechCrunch writer) Josh Constine, who interviewed Deng in a wide-ranging fireside, asked the question. Some in the crowd of onlookers shouted “yes” in response, which Deng acknowledged. “I’m hearing from the audience that they do. I’m hearing from the audience they do.”