**Prominent UK Creatives Call on Prime Minister to Safeguard Copyright in AI Era**
In a remarkable display of unity, more than 400 leading figures from Britain’s creative and media sectors—including the likes of Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey—have addressed an urgent letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, advocating for robust measures to defend copyright in response to the rapid advances of artificial intelligence. This initiative comes as the House of Lords prepares for a significant vote on proposed amendments to copyright regulations, scheduled for Monday, 12 May.
The open letter has drawn signatures from a notable array of well-known British and international talent, such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, Florence Welch, Kate Bush, and screen luminaries like Richard Curtis and Sir Ian McKellen. Collectively, the signatories express a strong desire for the Government to support specific proposals that would enhance transparency over how AI models use creative content, arguing that failure to act could undermine both the livelihoods within the sector and the UK’s influential role on the global cultural stage.
Central to their plea is the backing of Baroness Beeban Kidron’s amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. If enacted, this provision would compel AI developers to disclose which copyright works have been utilised or ‘ingested’ by their models. Supporters contend that such transparency would allow creators and creative enterprises to monitor the use of their work, reducing the risk of intellectual property being infringed without permission or remuneration.
The letter is clear in its warning: “We will lose an immense growth opportunity if we give our work away at the behest of a handful of powerful overseas tech companies and with it our future income, the UK’s position as a creative powerhouse, and any hope that the technology of daily life will embody the values and laws of the United Kingdom.” This reflects widespread concern that British creative output—spanning music, literature, theatre and film—could be co-opted wholesale by automated technologies developed abroad, outside the reach of domestic law and oversight.
Baroness Kidron, who has championed the amendments, highlights the importance of marrying technological progress with the protection of creative rights. “While the creative industries welcome the new frontier of possibilities offered by AI, it is vital to ensure these advances benefit the broader community, not just a small collection of international corporations,” she said. Kidron also reminded the Government of the creative sector’s vital contributions to the economy, supporting some 2.4 million jobs across the UK and helping define the nation’s global image.
Echoing these sentiments, Lord Brennan of Canton added that clarity over AI’s use of copyright material is essential: “We cannot let mass copyright theft inflict damage on our economy for years to come. Transparency over AI inputs will unlock tremendous economic growth, positioning the UK as the premier market for the burgeoning trade in high-quality AI training data.”
The proposed legislation does not seek to stifle innovation, signatories argue, but rather to strike a balance between encouraging technological advancement and maintaining the incentive for human creativity. Under the suggested amendments, the law would require AI companies to inform copyright holders exactly which works have been incorporated into AI systems, enabling proper licensing frameworks and fair compensation.
Industry observers point out that while British copyright law already provides for creators’ rights, it has become increasingly difficult to enforce in the context of large-scale AI development. Without strong mechanisms for transparency, it is almost impossible for creatives to identify breaches or secure redress.
Notably, the letter’s backing is not limited to household names from music and the arts. A vast cross-section of creative industry executives, journalists, union representatives and arts organisations—from the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company to media groups and publishing houses—have all added their support, reflecting the breadth of concern across the UK’s cultural landscape.
As MPs and peers prepare for the pivotal Lords debate, the question remains whether the UK will cement its reputation as a “creative powerhouse” by ensuring the law keeps pace with technological change, or risk seeing the fruits of its creative industries slip beyond domestic control.