Dua Lipa, Coldplay among artists calling for protection from AI exploitation

A coalition of more than 400 prominent British musicians, writers, and artists, including global stars like Dua Lipa, Sir Elton John, Sir Ian McKellen, and Florence Welch, have written to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to modernize the UK’s copyright laws in a way that shields creators from artificial intelligence (AI) exploitation.

The letter warns that without this legal protection, artists will be "giving away" their work to tech companies that use it to train AI systems. The group further emphasized that failing to address this issue could undermine the UK's standing as a "creative powerhouse."

The artists are calling for an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which would compel AI developers to be transparent about using creators' work to train their AI models. The amendment, they argue, would establish clearer boundaries and ensure creators are compensated for the use of their material.

A government spokesperson responded to the concerns, stating, "We want our creative industries and AI companies to flourish, which is why we're consulting on a package of measures that we hope will work for both sectors. We're clear that no changes will be considered unless we are completely satisfied they work for creators."

The list of signatories includes high-profile names such as author Kazuo Ishiguro, playwright David Hare, singers Kate Bush and Robbie Williams, and the band Coldplay. Sir Paul McCartney, who had previously expressed concerns about AI's impact on artists, also added his signature to the letter.

"We are wealth creators, we reflect and promote the national stories, we are the innovators of the future, and AI needs us as much as it needs energy and computer skills," the letter reads.

The artists’ call to action coincides with a proposal by Baroness Beeban Kidron, whose amendment to the Data Bill would allow AI developers and creators to negotiate licensing systems, ensuring human-created content continues to thrive. Baroness Kidron is also advocating for transparency obligations on tech firms, hoping to facilitate clearer partnerships between AI companies and creators.

However, not all industry experts agree with the proposed approach. Julia Willemyns, co-founder of the Centre for British Progress think tank, warned that such measures could hinder the UK's growth. She argued that the proposals would fail to prevent foreign firms from using British content and could harm domestic innovation, ultimately weakening the UK’s economy.

Despite the debate, the letter highlights growing concerns among artists about the use of their works in training generative AI systems. These AI tools, which produce new content from text prompts, have surged in popularity, but their rise has sparked criticism regarding data usage and energy consumption.

The letter comes in the wake of previous protests, including a silent album released by artists like Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn to oppose proposed changes to copyright law. Artists are particularly concerned about a government consultation that would allow developers to use content freely unless creators opt out—a proposal that has faced significant backlash.

Kazuo Ishiguro, the Nobel Prize-winning author, has been vocal in his opposition to the government's approach, questioning the fairness of changing longstanding copyright laws to benefit large corporations at the expense of individual creators. "Why is it just and fair – why is it sensible – to alter our time-honoured copyright laws to advantage mammoth corporations?" Ishiguro said.

The government has stated that it is carefully considering all responses to its consultation and will release a report and economic impact assessment to explore all perspectives. Baroness Kidron has emphasized that the UK is in a unique position to lead the global AI supply chain but requires transparency to develop a thriving licensing market that benefits both creators and tech firms.