Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has signalled a shift in the government's approach to AI and copyright, expressing sympathy for artists who demand payment when their works are used to train artificial intelligence systems. In remarks that contrast with her predecessor Peter Kyle's stance, Kendall said 'people rightly want to get paid for the work that they do' and emphasised the need to find a way for both the creative and AI sectors to thrive.
The government is consulting on a new intellectual property framework for AI, which relies on vast amounts of training data. The issue has sparked protests from prominent British artists, including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, and Elton John, who have criticised proposals that would allow tech firms to use copyrighted works without permission. Elton John called the previous government 'absolute losers' over the issue.
Kendall, who replaced Peter Kyle in September, said she and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy are 'having a reset on this discussion' and are engaging with both the creative and AI sectors. She acknowledged that many in the creative industry want transparency about whether their work has been used to train AI systems, which is key to enabling payment.
Campaigners, including crossbench peer Beeban Kidron, welcomed Kendall's recognition of the need to protect creators' property and livelihood. However, Kidron warned that the government has 'lost the trust of the entire creative community' and called for immediate action, including a commitment to respect copyright and transparency from AI companies.
An initial report on the government's plans is expected before the end of the year, with a more substantial report due by March 2026. Kendall stressed the importance of getting the policy right, saying 'we don't want to have to choose' between the creative and AI sectors.
