**Sir Elton John Issues Defiant Call for Copyright Protection in Face of AI at Awards Ceremony**
Sir Elton John has made an impassioned appeal to the UK Government, urging them to honour their commitment to safeguarding creators’ rights in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Addressing a packed audience after receiving the Creators’ Champion Award at Billboard’s Global Power Players event, the celebrated musician called for government action at a critical juncture for the creative industries.
Expressing his deep concern over AI technology’s use of copyrighted work without consent, Sir Elton, 78, joined a growing chorus of artists demanding transparency and stronger legal safeguards. His speech comes amid a protracted Parliamentary battle over the Data (Use and Access) Bill, with the Government repeatedly rebuffing amendments put forward by the House of Lords to fortify protections for creators.
At the heart of this debate is a push for clear requirements obliging tech companies and AI developers to inform rights-holders when their works are being used. Despite repeated defeats, ministers have so far declined to accept the Lords’ provisions, raising alarm among musicians, authors, journalists and other creatives.
Posting on Instagram, Sir Elton expressed gratitude to Billboard for the recognition, but swiftly turned his focus to advocacy, stating, “Supporting the next generation of British artists is one of the major driving forces in my life.” He insisted that the ongoing legislative process represented an “existential issue” for artists’ livelihoods, describing it as pivotal to the future health of the industry.
The iconic performer noted that, earlier the same evening, the Government had suffered a significant setback, with the Lords supporting vital amendments for the fifth time. “I am now calling on the Government to do the right thing and get transparency added to the Bill,” he stated, emphasising that copyright management must be open and conducted with creators’ full consent. “These two principles are the bedrock of our industry. They must be included in the Data Bill as a backstop.”
Importantly, Sir Elton was clear that the creative community does not oppose technology or progress. “Let’s be clear – we want to work with the Government. We are not anti-AI. We are not anti-big tech. We are not against Labour. We want a solution that brings all parties together in a way that’s transparent, fair and allows artists to maintain control of their work.”
He underlined his determination by reminding ministers of their prior commitments. “We will not let the Government forget their promise to support our creative industries. We will not back down and we will not quietly go away. This is just the beginning.”
The standoff between the Government and the Lords is now holding up the entire Bill, which also contains urgent measures such as curbs on abusive deepfake pornography. Observers warn that unless consensus is reached, vital regulatory updates may be delayed or lost, with potentially broad consequences for both digital regulation and creative rights.
Sir Elton closed his remarks by thanking those fighting for greater protection, saying, “Thank you, Billboard. And thank you Baroness Kidron and The House of Lords for standing up for our world-beating artists, journalists, playwrights, designers and authors.”
This ongoing dispute casts a spotlight on the delicate balance between fostering innovation and respecting intellectual property. As artificial intelligence and digital technologies evolve rapidly, the challenge of ensuring fair compensation and recognition for creators remains at the forefront of cultural debate.
With the creative community united in its demands for transparency and fairness, the Government faces mounting pressure to find lasting solutions that respect both the potential of technological advancement and the fundamental rights of those who make Britain’s creative industries world-leading.