Ministers Urged to End Copyright Abuse by Tech Giants in AI Training Practices
Government's AI Consultation Raises Concerns
Source: The Sun
UK ministers are under fire over a new government consultation aimed at regulating how technology companies utilize copyrighted material from musicians, writers, and news publishers for training artificial intelligence (AI) models.
Creative Industries at Risk
Critics have warned that the government’s plan to allow tech companies to use this material without adequate compensation could significantly undermine the UK’s £126bn creative sector. Leaders from various creative fields contend that this approach could threaten their livelihoods.
Call for Fair Compensation
Baroness Beeban Kidron, an expert in AI ethics, emphasized that allowing AI companies to scrape copyrighted work without remuneration will devastate the ability of creators to earn a living. She stated:
- “The creative community wants to work with AI and engage with tech – but they want to be paid for what they do.”
- Concerns are growing over the government’s “opt-out” plan, which critics describe as insufficient and favoring tech giants.
Industry Leaders Demand Action
Filmmakers, authors, and musicians have expressed their discontent with the current copyright laws, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement rather than new regulations. Tory Shadow Technology Secretary Alan Mak criticized the Labour party for inaction, accusing them of "dither and delay" that may hinder progress and competitiveness.
Ensuring Creators' Rights
Owen Meredith, from the News Media Association, insisted that:
- News publishers deserve control and fair remuneration when their content is utilized by AI entities.
- Transparency requirements should be emphasized within the existing copyright framework to protect creators' rights.
Concluding Remarks
Overall, the outrage surrounding the government’s consultation indicates a pressing need for a balanced approach that protects the rights of creative professionals while fostering innovation in the AI industry.
