Under the current government proposals, creators would be required to actively opt out if they do not wish their work to be used by tech companies for AI purposes
Renowned singer and songwriter Sir Elton John has joined a chorus of public figures urging the UK government to reconsider its plans to relax copyright rules, arguing that such changes could jeopardize the livelihoods of creative talents in the face of advancing AI technologies. John’s call to action comes amid growing concerns over proposals that would permit tech firms to utilize online creative content for AI development without obtaining prior permission from the creators.
Under the current government proposals, creators would be required to actively opt out if they do not wish their work to be used by tech companies for AI purposes. However, several prominent figures, including music producer Simon Cowell and author Kate Mosse, have advocated for an opt-in system instead. They argue that this would better protect the rights and interests of creators.
“We only achieved that success with the backing of our longstanding copyright protection – the world’s gold standard,” John told the Daily Mail, emphasizing the significant role the music industry plays in job creation and economic growth. “The music community has always been quick to adopt new technologies … but adoption of this copyright exception would destroy the UK’s leadership that has been hard won, and what’s worse, it would give it all away. For nothing.”
Last month, John supported Paul McCartney in criticising a proposed overhaul of the UK copyright system. He has called for new rules to prevent tech companies from undermining traditional copyright laws that safeguard artists’ livelihoods. Similarly, Cowell warned that improper regulation of AI could lead to artists and those working behind the scenes being “wiped out.”
“The thought that anyone would believe they have the right to blindly give this country’s creative ideas away – for nothing – is just wrong,” Cowell wrote in the Mail. “I passionately care about people’s personal creativity – and AI shouldn’t be able to steal the talent of those humans who created the magic in the first place. Anyone who is able to create something they passionately care about deserves to have their work protected.”
Other notable figures supporting the campaign include singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading and BAFTA-winning composer Nick Foster. The music industry has seen a wave of concern over AI’s potential threat to creativity. Artists such as Billie Eilish and Stevie Wonder signed an open letter last year, calling for protections against the predatory use of artificial intelligence. The letter, issued by the Artist Rights Alliance advocacy group, urged tech companies to pledge not to develop AI tools that could replace or undermine human songwriters and artists.
In a separate instance, Nick Cave described lyrics written by AI as “a grotesque mockery of what it is to be human” in 2023. However, not everyone in the industry shares this view. Daniel Bedingfield, for example, has embraced AI as the future of music. “AI is now here forever,” he said last year. “And so I think that there will be two paths: there’ll be the neo-luddite path, and then there’ll be everyone else, most of the planet, who thinks the music’s really good and enjoys it.”
The debate over AI and copyright is likely to continue as the UK government weighs the potential benefits of technological innovation against the need to protect the rights of creative individuals. As public figures like Elton John continue to advocate for stronger copyright protections, the outcome of this discussion could have far-reaching implications for the future of the creative arts in the UK.
