Keir Starmer has signalled a partial climbdown over the Government’s controversial plans to let the tech giants pillage the work of Britain’s writers, musicians and artists.
The Government has come under fire from figures such as Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, who warn that plans to hand a copyright exception to firms developing artificial intelligence (AI) would destroy Britain’s world-leading creative industry.
Downing Street has been shaken by the strength of the backlash from the worlds of music, film and literature.
Yesterday, the Government slipped out new figures revealing that a consultation on the issue has received a staggering 11,500 responses.
Speaking to reporters while in the United States this week, the Prime Minister signalled a climbdown, saying he was determined the creative industry should be able to ‘thrive’.
Asked if the Government’s plans were ‘set in stone’, he replied: ‘No, all that’s happened is there’s been a consultation.’
Pressed on the fact that the creative sector was bitterly opposed to the Government’s preferred option, he added: ‘But we’ve had a consultation. We will review the responses to the consultation.
‘The creative sector is obviously really important to our economy. AI is really important to our economy and we’ll review it in that light.
Keir Starmer (pictured) has signalled a partial climbdown over the Government’s controversial plans to let the tech giants pillage the work of Britain’s writers, musicians and artists
The Government has come under fire from figures such as Sir Elton John (pictured), who warn that Labour’s plans would destroy Britain’s world-leading creative industry
Artists, including Sir Paul McCartney (pictured) complain the Government’s plans would allow them to have their work effectively stolen and make the sector commercially unviable
‘But I’ll be clear, I want creatives to thrive. I think they’re really important for our country – not just the contribution to the economy but our global reputation.’
Tech firms developing AI are demanding the right to use copyrighted material to ‘train’ their computer models.
Artists complain this would allow them to have their work effectively stolen and make the sector commercially unviable.
The Government has proposed an ‘opt out’ system aimed at allowing individual artists to protect their work.
But critics warn it would be unworkable and allow the current ‘Wild West’ system to continue.
Ministers are now thought to be considering extra protections to try to ensure artists are paid for their work.
But Government sources have said they believe abandoning the plans altogether would disadvantage British AI developers, making them less competitive against US giants.
The situation was further complicated this week when Sir Keir and Donald Trump signalled they were keen to sign a trade deal involving deeper cooperation on technology and AI.
The Government has proposed an ‘opt out’ system aimed at allowing individual artists to protect their work
Ministers are now thought to be considering extra protections to try to ensure artists are paid for their work
Health Secretary Wes Streeting yesterday acknowledged the creative sector faced challenges as a result of the ‘disruptive’ impact of AI.
He told Radio Four’s Today programme: ‘I have seen the concerns that artists are raising and they are totally legitimate.’
He said the Government was working to find a solution ‘upholding the principles of fairness and freedom’.
‘This is a revolution that is going to change every aspect of our lives, our work, our culture,’ he added.
‘We are already seeing that disruption that comes with revolutionary moments.’
Mr Streeting urged critics to tone down attacks on Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who has come under fire over his cosy links with tech bosses.
Campaigners have accused Mr Kyle of ‘drinking the Kool Aid’ after holding up to 30 meetings with big tech firms like Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon, in just three months.
But Mr Streeting insisted the meetings were part of his job in making sure that ‘Britain is leading and shaping that revolution’.
He said the creative sector should ‘welcome the relationship’ Mr Kyle is building with the tech giants ‘because with that relationship comes influence’.
