tl;dr
Elton John criticized the U.K. government's proposed AI copyright changes, calling them "criminal" and accusing officials of "committing theft" from artists. The proposal would allow AI developers to train models on any creative works they lawfully access without paying artists. John and over 400 ar...
Elton John has publicly condemned the U.K. government's proposed changes to AI copyright laws, labeling them as "criminal" and accusing officials of "committing theft" from artists. The controversial proposal would permit AI developers to train models on any creative works they lawfully access without compensating the original creators.
John, along with more than 400 artists and organizations—including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Ed Sheeran, and Dua Lipa—has signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to back amendments demanding transparency and the requirement for AI firms to obtain explicit permission before using copyrighted works. These demands revolve around the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which forms a key part of the government’s broader AI Opportunities Action Plan intended to grow the U.K.’s AI sector and economy.
Despite the pushback from the creative community, the House of Commons has rejected amendments obliging AI companies to disclose their training data or secure permission for copyrighted content. The government's position emphasizes the potential economic benefits of AI, projecting a productivity boost of up to 1.5% annually, which could translate into an additional £47 billion for the U.K. economy if fully harnessed.
Elton John highlighted the risks faced by emerging artists, emphasizing their limited resources to monitor or challenge large technology firms exploiting their works. The ongoing legislative disputes reveal a fundamental clash between protecting creators’ rights and facilitating AI innovation, with transparency and fair compensation remaining central points of contention in the debate.