UK Government Urged to Protect Creators’ Rights in AI Development, MPs Warn
The UK Government has been warned by an all-party group of MPs to protect creators’ rights in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). In a report by the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee of the House of Commons, MPs highlight concerns about the Government’s plan to allow AI developers to freely use existing music, literature, and works of art for training AI systems to create new content. According to the report, this plan risks reducing arts and cultural production to mere inputs in AI development and shows a lack of understanding of the needs of the UK’s creative industries.
The report emphasizes the concerns raised by the sector, which argue that allowing AI developers to mine private intellectual property without sharing the profits with the original creators is unfair. The CEO of UK Music has referred to the proposed exemption as a green light to music laundering, while Universal Music has warned of potential widespread and lasting harm if creator rights and compensation are undermined by AI.
The Committee welcomes the news that Ministers are reconsidering the proposals and argues that the current framework, which allows text and data mining for non-commercial research purposes, strikes the right balance between innovation and creator rights. The report also calls for urgent action to protect creatives from misuse of their likeness and performances by emerging technologies like generative AI.
Additionally, the report urges the Government to provide support for the creative industries that encourages artists to push the boundaries of creative technology. Examples such as ABBA Voyage and digital art at the Victoria & Albert Museum demonstrate the value of embracing innovation to develop immersive creative and cultural experiences.
However, the Committee highlights the ongoing issue of skills shortages in the creative and tech sectors, which limits the growth and potential of creative technology in the UK. The Government is urged to address these shortages through the upcoming Cultural Education Plan.
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, emphasizes the need for the Government to understand the concerns of the creative industries and develop a copyright and regulatory regime that protects them in the era of AI disruption.
To facilitate the development and use of creative technology, the report suggests that instead of pursuing a broad text and data mining exemption to copyright, the Government should proactively support small AI developers by reviewing licensing schemes and seeking mutually-beneficial arrangements with rights management organizations and creative industries trade bodies.
In summary, the report emphasizes the importance of protecting creators’ rights in AI development and urges the UK Government to ensure a balance between innovation and intellectual property rights. While welcoming Ministerial reconsideration, the report also calls for support for the creative industries and the addressing of skills shortages. The Government must act swiftly to rebuild trust and develop a copyright and regulatory regime that safeguards the future of the UK’s creative industries in the face of AI advancements.
