HomeNick Clegg: Mandatory Artist Consent Would Stifle AI Industry Growth
As UK policymakers debate the regulation of the AI sector, Nick Clegg, a former deputy prime minister and Meta executive, asserted that forcing companies to obtain artist consent would "essentially cripple" the AI industry.
Speaking at a launch event for his new book, Clegg acknowledged that creators should retain the right to opt out of having their work used to train AI systems. However, he argued that seeking permission in advance was unworkable.
"I believe the creative community wants to go further," Clegg told The Times. "Many argue, ‘You can only train AI on my content if you ask me first.’ Personally, I find that impractical, given the enormous datasets these models require."
"I simply don't see how you could obtain consent from every creator in advance. That approach seems unfeasible," Clegg added. "Moreover, if the UK adopted such a rule while other nations did not, it would effectively destroy the domestic AI industry overnight."
These remarks follow ongoing parliamentary discussions regarding new legislation designed to offer creative professionals greater visibility into how AI firms utilize their work. A proposed amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would mandate that tech companies disclose which copyrighted materials were used in AI training. Hundreds of artists—including Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber—joined writers, designers, and journalists in signing an open letter endorsing the amendment earlier in May.
The amendment, put forward by filmmaker and director Beeban Kidron, has circulated widely, attracting growing support. Nevertheless, on Thursday, lawmakers rejected the proposal. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle commented that "the UK economy depends on the success of both the AI and creative industries." Kidron and other advocates contend that transparency would enable copyright enforcement and reduce the likelihood of AI firms using protected works without authorization.
In a Guardian opinion piece, Kidron vowed that "the fight is not over," as the Data (Use and Access) Bill returns to the House of Lords in early June.
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As UK policymakers debate the regulation of the AI sector, Nick Clegg, a former deputy prime minister and Meta executive, asserted that forcing companies to obtain artist consent would "essentially cripple" the AI industry.
Speaking at a launch event for his new book, Clegg acknowledged that creators should retain the right to opt out of having their work used to train AI systems. However, he argued that seeking permission in advance was unworkable.
"I believe the creative community wants to go further," Clegg told The Times. "Many argue, ‘You can only train AI on my content if you ask me first.’ Personally, I find that impractical, given the enormous datasets these models require."
"I simply don't see how you could obtain consent from every creator in advance. That approach seems unfeasible," Clegg added. "Moreover, if the UK adopted such a rule while other nations did not, it would effectively destroy the domestic AI industry overnight."
These remarks follow ongoing parliamentary discussions regarding new legislation designed to offer creative professionals greater visibility into how AI firms utilize their work. A proposed amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would mandate that tech companies disclose which copyrighted materials were used in AI training. Hundreds of artists—including Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber—joined writers, designers, and journalists in signing an open letter endorsing the amendment earlier in May.
The amendment, put forward by filmmaker and director Beeban Kidron, has circulated widely, attracting growing support. Nevertheless, on Thursday, lawmakers rejected the proposal. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle commented that "the UK economy depends on the success of both the AI and creative industries." Kidron and other advocates contend that transparency would enable copyright enforcement and reduce the likelihood of AI firms using protected works without authorization.
In a Guardian opinion piece, Kidron vowed that "the fight is not over," as the Data (Use and Access) Bill returns to the House of Lords in early June.
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