U.K. Culture Secretary Talks AI Regulation at London Media Conference
Lisa Nandy, U.K. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the Labour Party government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, promised a London media conference on Tuesday that the government was focused on a win-win approach to AI policies and regulation.
The government will also launch the latest review of the BBC charter, which currently runs through 2027 and details its governance and priorities, later this year, she said.
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During an appearance at Deloitte and Enders Analysis' Media & Telecoms 2025 & Beyond Conference, she said about AI regulation: 'We are determined to find a way forward that works for the creative industry and creators, as well as the tech industries. Creators are the innovators fundamental to our economic success in the future.'
She emphasized that 'the issue of AI copyright needs to be properly considered and enforceable legislation drafted with the inclusion, involvement and experience of both creatives and technologists.'
Once a data bill is passed by parliament, government ministers will begin a series of round tables with representatives from across the creative industries to develop legislation with both houses of parliament and 'given time to consider it before we proceed,' Nandy said. 'We approach it with no preferred option in mind during the consultation. We have heard you loud and clear that what works for one part of the creative industries doesn't work for another. You know as well as I do that in this international landscape, there are no easy solutions, but this government is determined to work with you to find a solution with transparency and trust as its foundation.'
In November, Nandy unveiled plans to broaden the scope of U.K. media merger laws, updating them 'for the digital age to reflect modern news consumption habits and better protect media freedom and plurality.' The current regulatory regime only covers television, radio, and print publications.
Global streaming giant Netflix didn't mince words when it reacted to an April call from a U.K. parliamentary committee for a levy of 5 percent of U.K. subscriber revenue on foreign streaming services, including the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, to help finance British drama production. It highlighted that the U.K. is the streamer's 'biggest production hub outside of North America – and we want it to stay that way.'
It added a thinly veiled warning that levies or taxes would lead to price increases: 'In an increasingly competitive global market, it's key to create a business environment that incentivizes rather than penalizes investment, risk taking and success. Levies diminish competitiveness and penalize audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs.'
Last year, Nandy also outlined how the U.K. should work to be better represented in all its diversity on film and TV screens, fight polarizing fake news, and level the playing field for streamers and traditional broadcasters.
In December, Starmer's government launched a consultation on 'plans to give certainty to the creative industries and AI developers on how copyright material can be used to train AI models.' The goal is to 'drive growth across both sectors by ensuring protection and payment for rights holders and supporting AI developers to innovate responsibly.' The government also highlighted it hopes to 'help unlock the full potential of the AI sector and creative industries to drive innovation, investment, and prosperity across the country, driving forward the U.K. government's mission to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7.'
Tuesday's conference also featured top executives from the likes of the Walt Disney Co., the U.K. public broadcaster BBC, streaming giant Netflix, and Comcast-owned Sky and Sky Studios.
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