UK government changes stance on AI following backlash from creative industries
The UK government has backtracked on its former position on copyright laws and AI after facing backlash from far and wide across the creative industry.
Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, has made the admission “we have listened,” in reference to the endless stream of criticism the previous rules faced.
Previously, the government had a proposed “opt-out” rule, which allowed AI companies to train models on copyrighted works by default unless otherwise specified.
A newly published report has now backtracked on this solution, and has instead admitted that the future for AI and copyright is now more uncertain than ever, as there is “no consensus” on how their AI objectives should be achieved.
The new report was published jointly by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Intellectual Property Office.
It posits that the government “must take the time needed to get this right. We will not introduce reforms to copyright law until we are confident that they will meet our objectives for the economy and UK citizens”.
Therefore, their new stance is somewhat unclear: “In view of the concerns raised by stakeholders, and the continued uncertainty about the likely effects of an exception with opt-out, a broad copyright exception with opt-out is no longer the government’s preferred way forward.”
The statement went on to stress the dichotomy lying at the heart of the issue: “Any reform must ensure that rights holders can be fairly rewarded for the economic value their work creates, and that they are protected against unlawful and unfair use of their work. It must also ensure that AI developers can access high-quality content.”
Kendall also admitted that the problem isn’t just UK-specific. She also shared, “We are not the only government facing this challenge. The United States, the European Union, Australia, India, and many other governments are trying to find a way through. […] It will take time to get this right. We will do so in a way that is in line with our own interests and values.”
Much of the backlash the government refers to came from high-profile celebrities, like Elton John and Paul McCartney.
Speaking on the potential opt-out law last year, the ‘Rocketman’ singer shared, “This will dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further. The musician community rejects it wholeheartedly.”
Another recent dissenter of the use of AI in the creative industry is Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne. Check out what he had to say on the matter below.
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