The UK government's proposal to allow AI companies to train their models on copyrighted works without explicit permission has sparked significant controversy within the creative industry. The plan would implement an opt-out system for creative professionals and companies who wish to protect their work from AI training use.

Industry leaders have raised serious concerns about the proposal's implications. Dan Conway, chief executive of the Publishers Association, criticized the lack of objective evidence supporting this copyright exception and emphasized the importance of protecting content creators' commercial interests.

The proposal has faced particular opposition from:

• Book publishers, who called it "entirely untested and unevidenced"
• News organizations, warning it would allow AI firms to "shirk their responsibilities"
• Crossbencher Beeban Kidron, highlighting risks to the £126 billion UK creative sector

Owen Meredith, chief executive of News Media Association, advocates for maintaining creator control over content usage and fair compensation, suggesting the government should focus on transparency requirements within existing copyright frameworks rather than implementing opt-out systems.

While Data Protection Minister Chris Bryant MP defends the proposal as a "win-win" that could create new revenue streams for creators, the government is also considering implementing a "right of personality" similar to US regulations, which would protect celebrities from unauthorized AI replication of their voice or likeness.

The proposal remains under consultation, with stakeholders invited to provide feedback on its potential impact on the creative industry's future.

Related Articles

Previous Articles