UK govt’s AI bill falters amid opposition by artists Elton John, Dua Lipa over copyright

The proposed law had drawn sharp backlash from artists, celebrities, and prominent figures in the creative industry. The UK’s Upper House of Parliament on Monday, May 12, voted in favour of an amendment to the Bill that would mandatorily require creators to give permission for their work to be used by AI companies. It also requires that they must be informed about what data has been taken, when it has been used, and by whom.

The amendment was tabled by Beeban Kidron, a member of the House of Lords. It was passed by 272 votes to 125, according to a report by news agency AFP.

This development comes amid growing concerns on the use of copyright-protected work to train and develop generative AI models without permission. Experts have warned that these AI models end up competing with the creative works that they are trained on, raising fears that artists and creators could potentially lose their source of income, particularly without any content licensing arrangements in place.

“AI companies are stealing some of the UK’s most valuable cultural and economic assets. Creators do not deny the creative and economic value of AI. But we do deny the assertion that we should have to build AI for free, with our work, and then rent it back from those who stole it,” Kidron was quoted as saying by BBC.

“It’s Harry Potter, it’s the entire back catalogue of every single music publisher in the UK. It’s the voice of Hugh Grant, the design of an iconic handbag, the IP of our universities, great museums and library collections,” she added.

400 artists, creatives sign open letter

Paul McCartney, Elton John, Dua Lipa, Ian McKellen, Florence Welch, Kazuo Ishiguro, David Hare, Kate Bush, Robbie Williams, Tom Stoppard, Richard Curtis, and the band members of Coldplay were among the 400 British musicians, writers, actors, and artists who signed an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Starmer.

The letter called for copyright laws in the country to be updated in a way that protects artists and creatives from AI, which poses a risk to “the UK’s position as a creative powerhouse.”

“We are wealth creators, we reflect and promote the national stories, we are the innovators of the future, and AI needs us as much as it needs energy and computer skills,” the letter read.

The UK government’s AI action plan

In January this year, PM Starmer announced a new action plan aimed at making the UK the world leader in AI and fuelling Britain’s flagging economy through technology and innovation spurred by flexible regulations.

Too many obligations would lead to “AI innovators, including many home-grown British companies, thinking twice about whether they wish to develop and provide their services in the UK,” Maggie Jones, Digital Minister, was quoted as saying by BBC.

“We want our creative industries and AI companies to flourish, which is why we’re consulting on a package of measures that we hope will work for both sectors. We’re clear that no changes will be considered unless we are completely satisfied they work for creators,” a government spokesperson was also quoted as saying.

With Monday’s vote on the amendment, the British government’s proposed Data (Use and Access) Bill will now be sent back to the Lower House of Parliament for further debate.