Dear Constituent,
Thank you for your email about your concerns around unregulated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the future of creative industries, and for bringing the event hosted by Brave New World on 10 February to my attention. Unfortunately, due to prior parliamentary commitments, I was unable to attend.
Britain excels in both the creative and technological sectors. The integration of AI across sectors such as music, publishing, architecture and design presents enormous potential for growth and productivity. However, as you rightly point out, this must not come at the expense of our world-leading creative industries or the livelihoods of those who sustain them. I understand that many artists, writers, and designers have sincere fears that AI could detrimentally affect their earnings and, ultimately, their lifestyles.
As you may be aware, the Government has run a consultation into the legal relationship between the creative industries and AI developers. Its preferred option allows tech companies to use copyrighted content for creating AI software without permission, unless the owner specifically opted out. Worryingly, this would allow AI companies to scrap content without creators getting paid. The Government’s proposals have been met with near universal condemnation from across the creative industries.
My colleagues have raised this repeatedly in Parliament, including with the Prime Minister, and the Opposition tabled amendments to the Data Bill to force the Government to better protect copyrighted works.
While the Government rejected some, it was forced to accept an amendment to the Data Bill that would oblige Ministers to issue a progress report on this issue six months after it became law. That report has now been published and reveals just 3 per cent of respondents to its consultation supported its preferred option, with 88 per cent saying copyright laws should be strengthened to require a licensing agreement in all cases. This is a resounding rejection of the Government’s plans, and Ministers surely cannot proceed with them.
My colleagues in Opposition and I will continue to hold the Government to account for their record on this matter.
Thank you again for getting in contact with me.
Yours sincerely,
