Paul McCartney: Don't let AI rip off artists

In a recent interview with the BBC, Sir Paul McCartney, the legendary musician and former member of The Beatles, expressed his concerns regarding proposed changes to copyright laws that could significantly impact artists and musicians. He warned that these changes might allow technology companies to use the work of creators without their permission, which could make it increasingly difficult for musicians to earn a living from their art. Sir Paul stated, 'When we were kids in Liverpool, we found a job that we loved, but it also paid the bills. ' He fears that the new regulations could diminish the motivation for artists to create, leading to a potential decline in creativity within the music industry. The government has indicated that it aims to provide clarity and control for creators through a revised copyright framework. However, Sir Paul raised concerns about the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music landscape. He described a scenario where young, talented musicians could write beautiful songs but ultimately have no ownership over their creations. 'You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don't own it,' he lamented. He emphasized that the financial rewards from music should go to the original creators, stating, 'The truth is, the money's going somewhere. Somebody's getting paid, so why shouldn't it be the guy who sat down and wrote Yesterday? ' In 2023, Sir Paul and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr utilized AI technology to enhance an unfinished demo by John Lennon, resulting in what has been hailed as the Beatles' final release. This song received widespread acclaim and garnered nominations for prestigious awards. Sir Paul acknowledged the potential benefits of AI, saying, 'I think AI is great, and it can do lots of great things. ' He explained how they were able to clean up an old cassette of John's voice, making it sound fresh and new. However, he firmly believes that technology should not exploit creative individuals, asserting, 'But it shouldn't rip creative people off. There's no sense in that. ' The government is currently seeking input on proposals that would allow AI companies to utilize online material without adhering to copyright laws, provided they are using it for research purposes. This has raised concerns among artists and creators, who fear they may lose control over their work. Critics argue that it is impractical for individual artists to notify numerous AI service providers that they do not want their content used, or to monitor the usage of their work across the internet. An alternative proposal, which would allow artists to opt-in and give permission for their content to be used, is set to be presented in the House of Lords. Tom Kiehl, the chief executive of UK Music, voiced his apprehensions about the government's plans, stating, 'Government plans to change copyright law to make it easier for AI firms to use the music of artists, composers and music companies without their permission put the music industry at a huge risk. ' He emphasized that the creative sector, which contributes significantly to the economy, should be protected. A government spokesperson defended the UK's music industry, describing it as 'truly world class' and highlighting its history of producing celebrated artists. They stated that the consultation aims to ensure strong protections for artists in relation to AI. The spokesperson added that the government is eager to hear the music industry's views on these proposals and will only proceed once they are confident that artists will have clarity, control, and transparency regarding their work. Sir Paul recently completed his Got Back tour, which took him to various countries, including France, Spain, and Brazil, before concluding at London's O2 Arena. His ongoing advocacy for artists' rights continues to resonate within the music community.