Elton John slams UK's AI copyright plans, warns of ‘theft' on a large scale
LONDON, May 18: Sir Elton John has strongly criticized the government, calling ministers 'absolute losers' and expressing his feelings of being 'incredibly betrayed' over proposed plans to exempt technology companies from copyright laws. In an exclusive interview with Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the music legend warned that if ministers proceed with the plans, which would allow AI companies to use artists' content without compensating them, it would amount to 'committing theft' on a significant scale.
The government recently rejected proposals from the House of Lords, which called for AI companies to disclose the material they use to develop their programs. A government spokesperson responded by stating that 'no changes' to copyright laws would be considered unless they are 'completely satisfied they work for creators.'
Generative AI technologies, which learn from vast amounts of data like text, images, and music to create new content, have sparked concerns among artists. Sir Elton John highlighted the danger for emerging artists, many of whom lack the resources to challenge large tech firms. 'It's criminal, in that I feel incredibly betrayed,' he said.
Earlier this week, the House of Lords voted overwhelmingly in favor of amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. These amendments aimed to introduce transparency measures, ensuring that copyright holders would have to provide permission for their work to be used by AI systems. However, this change was rejected in the House of Commons, and the bill will continue to be debated between the two Houses until a resolution is reached.
Sir Elton John condemned the government's stance, accusing them of potentially "robbing young people of their legacy and their income." He described the government's actions as 'absolute losers' and expressed his anger over the issue. The singer also urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to 'wise up' and referred to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle as 'a bit of a moron.' He made it clear that if the government persists with its current approach, he would be prepared to take legal action, stating, 'we'll fight it all the way.'
Playwright James Graham, speaking alongside Sir Elton, expressed frustration with the government's approach, saying ministers "do understand the value of creativity" but seem either complacent or unwilling to confront the power of Silicon Valley tech companies.
Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music, warned that the government was on the verge of sacrificing the country's music industry to appease American tech giants. He stressed that the Prime Minister must protect the future of British artists by updating copyright laws to shield their work from exploitation by AI technologies.
In response to the growing concerns, Sir Elton and over 400 other British musicians, writers, and artists signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to update copyright laws to safeguard their content from being used without permission by AI systems. Sir Paul McCartney, a fellow signatory, has also raised concerns about the risk of creating a 'Wild West' environment where artists' rights are unprotected.
The government spokesperson reiterated that they want both the UK's creative industries and AI companies to thrive. They noted that they are consulting on a set of measures aimed at balancing the interests of both sectors. The spokesperson also emphasized that the government is working on a report and economic impact assessment to examine the broad range of issues and options in the debate.
As discussions continue, the future of artists' rights in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies remains uncertain, with many in the creative industries fearing that the government's proposed changes could undermine copyright protections and threaten their livelihoods.
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