Elton John and Dua Lipa seek protection from AI

Dua Lipa, a popular singer, and Sir Elton John, a legendary musician, are among a group of over 400 British artists, writers, and musicians who are urging the Prime Minister to revise copyright laws to protect their work from artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI. They have sent a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, expressing their concerns that without proper protections, they risk losing control over their creative works to large technology companies. The letter emphasizes that failing to safeguard their rights could jeopardize the UK's status as a leading creative hub. The artists are advocating for an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which would mandate that developers disclose how they use copyrighted material to train AI models. A government spokesperson responded by stating their commitment to fostering both the creative industries and AI sectors, indicating that they are exploring a range of measures to benefit both areas. They assured that no changes would be made unless they are confident that they will support creators. Notable signatories of the letter include acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro, playwright David Hare, and renowned singers such as Kate Bush and Robbie Williams. Sir Paul McCartney has also added his name to the list, reinforcing the collective voice of the artists. The letter articulates that artists play a crucial role in generating wealth, reflecting national narratives, and driving innovation, asserting that AI relies on their creativity just as much as it depends on technological expertise. The artists believe their concerns can be addressed if the government supports an amendment proposed by Baroness Beeban Kidron, which would facilitate the development of licensing agreements that benefit both AI developers and creators. However, not everyone agrees with the artists' perspective. Julia Willemyns, co-founder of the Centre for British Progress think tank, argues that such proposals could hinder the UK's growth and competitiveness. She contends that a restrictive copyright framework would not prevent foreign companies from utilizing content from British creators and could ultimately harm the UK economy. Despite differing opinions, the letter reflects a growing unease among artists regarding the use of their works in generative AI systems. These systems, which can generate new content based on simple text prompts, have gained popularity among consumers, but their rise has raised concerns about data usage and energy consumption. In February, a group of artists, including Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn, released a silent album to protest against the government's proposed changes to copyright law. The government had conducted a consultation regarding a proposal that would allow developers to use creators' online content to train their models unless rights holders opted out. Reports indicate that ministers are reconsidering this proposal. Mr. Ishiguro highlighted the unfairness of altering long-standing copyright laws to benefit large corporations at the expense of individual creators. He expressed hope for a new consultation to establish a fairer framework, although he remains cautious about the potential effectiveness of such discussions. He stressed the importance of getting this right. Recently, Members of Parliament rejected a separate amendment proposed by Baroness Kidron that sought to hold AI developers accountable under UK copyright law. Now, she argues that the transparency obligations outlined in the new proposed amendment could facilitate the creation of licensing agreements between creators and tech companies. Baroness Kidron stated that the UK is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the international AI supply chain, but achieving this opportunity requires the transparency her amendments would provide to foster a vibrant licensing market. In their statement, the government emphasized the need to carefully consider the range of responses to their consultation while also laying the groundwork for future steps. They have committed to publishing a report and conducting an economic impact assessment to explore the various issues and options surrounding this important debate.