A bombshell leaked email has revealed that a senior adviser to the UK's culture secretary claimed artificial intelligence companies would "never" compensate creative professionals for using their work to train AI models.
Adviser's Stark Warning to Minister
The disclosure, obtained by The Guardian, shows the adviser's blunt assessment was delivered directly to Culture Secretary Lizzie Green earlier this year. The email stated that AI firms had no intention of paying creators for copyrighted material used in training datasets.
This private admission starkly contrasts with the government's public position advocating for voluntary codes of conduct between AI developers and creative industries.
Creative Industries Express Outrage
Reaction from creative unions and industry bodies has been swift and furious. The revelation has sparked concerns that the government is privately acknowledging what many creators have feared – that their intellectual property is being used without proper compensation or consent.
"This leaked email confirms our worst suspicions," said a spokesperson for the Writers' Guild of Great Britain. "While publicly promoting cooperation, the government appears to have privally accepted that creators will be exploited by the AI industry."
Growing Tension Between Tech and Creativity
The controversy highlights the escalating tension between the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the protection of creative works. As AI systems require massive datasets for training, copyright law has become the central battleground.
- Creative professionals argue their work is being used without permission or payment
- AI companies claim training falls under "fair use" exceptions
- The UK government positions itself as a mediator but faces criticism from both sides
What This Means for UK Creatives
The leaked communication raises serious questions about the government's commitment to protecting the £116 billion creative industries sector. With the adviser's prediction that compensation would "never" happen, many creators feel abandoned by the very institutions meant to safeguard their livelihoods.
As one music industry executive commented, "If this is truly the government's private view, then the voluntary approach is essentially a surrender to tech giants before negotiations have even properly begun."
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been approached for comment regarding the leaked email and its implications for the government's AI policy direction.
