Prime Minister Signals Potential Reassessment of AI Copyright Regulations
The Prime Minister has opened the door to reconsidering controversial new regulations regarding artificial intelligence (AI) that would facilitate tech giants in utilizing artists’ works without offering appropriate compensation. Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that a conclusive decision about whether to proceed with the proposed easing of existing copyright protections has not yet been made, following the closure of a consultation period on this matter earlier this week.
A coalition of newspapers, prominent musicians, and various cultural figures have been vigorously campaigning for the Government to abandon its plans to relax copyright protections. The i Paper has been actively supporting the Make It Fair campaign, which advocates for the preservation of current regulations that allow creatives to maintain control over the usage of their work and the income derived from it.
During a recent trip to Washington, Starmer indicated a willingness to explore potential compromises, stating: “All that’s happened is there’s been a consultation.” He elaborated, “We will review the responses to the consultation. The creative sector is obviously really important to our economy. AI is also crucial for our economy, and we will assess it in that context. However, I want to be clear: I want creatives to thrive. Their contributions are vital for our nation—not just economically, but also in terms of our global reputation.”
The Government finds itself in a precarious position concerning its copyright proposals, facing mounting opposition from a wide spectrum of individuals, including renowned figures like Sir Paul McCartney and Kate Bush, as well as technicians and engineers. Labour backbenchers have reportedly approached party whips to voice concerns about the growing grassroots dissent, urging for a reevaluation of the issue.
Ministers assert that their proposed framework aims to resolve a stalemate that they claim is hindering both tech companies eager to develop AI models within the UK and the creative sector. Under the new regulations, software developers would gain unrestricted access to British-made content—ranging from news articles to music and films—to “train” their AI systems, unless copyright holders explicitly choose to “opt-out” from this arrangement.
Critics argue that such a strategy could jeopardize a vital segment of the British economy, valued at approximately £126 billion annually, and threaten the livelihoods of creators by stripping them of control over the use of their original work. Baroness Beeban Kidron, a cross-bench peer and film director who has been at the forefront of the opposition in Parliament, recently told The i Paper that while ministers may enjoy photo opportunities with A-list celebrities, they fail to grasp that copyright laws are essential for the income security of thousands of working-class individuals, including carpenters, crew members, and technicians engaged in the film and music industries.
Despite the Prime Minister’s assertions that he wants creatives to “thrive,” his business secretary, Peter Kyle, who has faced criticism for his close ties to tech corporations, stated this week that he would not yield to external pressures. In an interview with Sky News, Mr. Kyle remarked, “I’m really open-minded about how we progress, but there’s one fundamental principle I uphold: I will not allow one side to force me into a position where I must choose between one interest group and another.”
