UK ministers to make concessions on AI proposal after backlash from creative industries

UK ministers are considering making concessions on their plans to allow AI companies' to access to copyrighted work, following weeks of lobbying from creatives, according to The Guardian.

The initial plans, announced last December, would have allowed AI companies to train their model off of artists' copyrighted work without permission.

On Tuesday, more than 1000 musicians, including the likes of Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Hans Zimmer, Sam Fender and Damon Albarn, released a silent album protesting these plans. The project consists of recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, said to represent "the impact (they) expect the government’s proposals would have on musicians’ livelihoods."

"Ministers would very much like to find something everyone can work with," a UK government source told The Guardian. "Abandoning the plans altogether is not seen as an option as it would put British AI companies at a disadvantage, but there are ways to protect certain sectors which are particularly important, and to make sure big US technology giants are not getting all the benefit."

Another source said: "No decisions will be taken until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers each of our objectives, including increased control for rights holders to help them easily license their content, enabling lawful access to material to train world-leading AI models in the UK, and building greater transparency over material being used."

One of the new proposals said to be under consideration is an 'opt-in' system – in which AI companies could only access copyrighted work if the artist gave their consent. Another proposal suggests allowing British companies unlicensed access to copyrighted material, while forcing US companies to obtain consent.

AI has become a subject of concern among artists as of late. In October, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Julianne Moore, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, and more, signed statement opposing the unlicensed use of their work for AI data-building. The statement has 47,536 signatures at the time of writing.

Last month, McCartney told the BBC that the UK government's plans could bring about a "loss of creativity," and society was at risk of becoming a "Wild West," in which "anyone who wants can just rip (your work) off."