Famous figures including Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sir Ian McKellen are calling on Starmer to halt the AI copyright threat.
Let 'em Sing, Write, Act: UK Creatives Call for Stronger Copyright Protection in AI Era
With a chorus of famous faces like Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sir Ian McKellen leading the charge, the UK's creative industry has pitched a passionate plea to Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer: strengthen copyright protections in the age of AI.
Besides them, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Kate Bush, and a total of more than 400 signatories have banded together, penning an open letter addressing their concerns over potential threats. The letter warns that their livelihoods could be at risk if their work is surrendered to the whims of a select few powerful tech giants.
Anticipating the heat in the House of Lords on Monday, a crucial vote looms over an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. This amendment would see companies required to inform copyright holders if their work is ingested by AI models.
Emphasizing the urgency, the creative industry is urging Starmer to back amendments to the bill, arguing that such measures foster greater transparency, heighten accountability, and offer a chance to combat the rampant theft of creative works.
"Creative content is pivotal in powering the generative AI revolution," the letter states. "These amendments will spur a dynamic licensing market, enhancing human creativity across the UK while positioning us as a major player in the global AI supply chain."
[Knowing the Score]- Baroness Beeban Kidron, a crossbench peer, spearheaded the amendment. She emphasizes the importance of preserving the UK creative industries, which enrich our national narratives, boost tourism, stimulate the economy, and create jobs for millions.- Lord Clement-Jones, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation, and Technology in the House of Lords, stressed that transparency isn't merely ethical; it forms the basis of a thriving licensing system that respects and compensates creators.- A government spokesperson clarified that their aim is to foster growth in both the creative and AI industries, provided that any changes support creators. The government is analyzing overwhelming responses to their consultation and has promised to address all sides of the debate, publishing a report and economic impact assessment by September 2025.- Enrichment Data: The UK's Data (Use and Access) Bill seeks to regulate the use and access of data in light of technological advancements, with a particular focus on AI and copyright protections. After an amendment by Baroness Kidron to enforce copyright for AI models failed, the Bill now includes provisions for transparency when data is used in AI training. The government is evaluating the impact of AI on copyright and is expected to release a report and plan by September 2025. The creative industry's response to the government's approach has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment and others criticizing the insufficiency of the assessment.
- The creative industry, including professionals like Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sir Ian McKellen, are advocating for stronger copyright protections in the AI era to protect their work from being surrendered to tech giants in the transport, entertainment, politics, and general-news sectors.
- Transparency in the use of AI models, as proposed by the Data (Use and Access) Bill, is crucial for the thriving licensing system that respects and compensates creators in the technology, transport, entertainment, politics, and general-news sectors, according to Lord Clement-Jones, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation, and Technology in the House of Lords.
