Rise of AI and Supporting Creatives

I know this is a very important issue, and I completely understand why many people are concerned. Our creative industries are among the best in the world, and they are a key part of our economy, creating jobs and driving growth right across the country.

Our Government has been clear that copying protected material in the UK will infringe copyright unless it is licensed or covered by an existing copyright exemption. I am reassured that no changes will be made to copyright law unless they work for creators.

Our Government previously ran a consultation on AI and copyright, and that consultation received over 11,500 responses. The proposal to allow an ‘opt-out’ option was overwhelmingly rejected by the creative industries, and I am pleased that Ministers have confirmed that our Government will not introduce the previously proposed exemption to copyright law.

I want to see a copyright regime that values and protects human creativity, while also supporting new opportunities for innovation across the creative sector and wider economy. I support our Government in taking time to get this right, in a way that reflects the UK’s interests and values.

I welcome the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s focus on increasing creator control and transparency and supporting independent creatives. I look forward to our Government’s review of the mechanisms available for creators to control their works online. This will include standards, technical solutions and best practice on input transparency.

The review will also consider potential gaps and how our Government can address them. I also welcome a new working group which will look at how smaller and independent creatives can benefit from licensing.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue. I can assure you that our world-leading creative and media industries have my full support.