At this year’s Brit Awards, some of the biggest names in British music came together to voice their concerns about a looming threat to the UK’s creative industries.
The issue? A proposed change in copyright laws that could allow AI developers to use copyrighted material without paying for it, potentially undermining the work of musicians, writers, and artists across the country.
Campaign to Stop AI from Stealing Creative Content
During the event at the O2 Arena in London, musicians, performers, and other celebrities took part in the “Make It Fair” campaign, a movement urging the government to protect creators’ rights.
The campaign was set against the backdrop of government proposals to allow tech companies to access and use UK-based films, books, music, and news for AI training without needing to seek permission or pay the creators.
A photo booth was set up on the red carpet where stars could show their support for the cause by posing for pictures or recording videos.
Support from Music Industry Icons
Among the supporters were McFly’s Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, as well as indie rock girl band The Last Dinner Party, whose album was nominated for Album of the Year.
Other stars like Sergio Pizzorno of Kasabian, Paloma Faith, Myles Smith, and Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker also voiced their opposition to the changes.
Walker summed up the protest by saying, “Just leave it to musicians to make music.”
The artists made their positions clear, urging the government to reconsider its stance on AI and copyright law.
Government’s Proposed Changes to Copyright Laws
The UK government is proposing sweeping changes to copyright law, which would allow technology companies to freely access and use creative content to train AI models.
This would happen without any need for compensation or even permission from the original creators.
Currently, creators have automatic copyright protection, but under the new plan, they would need to opt out if they didn’t want their work to be used in this way.
There are also concerns over the potential exploitation of journalistic content, as tech companies could scrape articles from news websites without paying for them.
Critics argue that these changes would harm not only individual creators but also the free press in the UK.
Public Backlash and Calls for Action
The timing of the Brit Awards made it an ideal platform for this protest, with record labels actively encouraging their artists to speak out about the potential consequences of the new law.
BBC Radio One DJ Arielle Free also voiced her support for the campaign, praising the efforts to prevent AI from “plundering” the creative sector.
Keir Starmer’s Position on AI and Creativity
In the midst of the growing controversy, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer signalled that the government might reconsider its position.
When asked whether the proposed changes were final, Starmer responded, “No, all that’s happened is there’s been a consultation… the creative sector is really important to our economy, and we’ll review it in that light.”
Jimmy Page and the Fight Against AI Exploitation
Legendary musician Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has been one of the most vocal critics of the government’s proposed changes.
The 81-year-old guitarist compared the plans to the early days of his career, saying, “If someone had taken my riffs without acknowledgement or payment, it would have been deemed theft.”
He called the government’s proposal a “free pass for AI to exploit creativity without consequence” and warned that allowing AI to “co-opt the heart of human creativity” could signal the end of originality in music and art.
Page’s remarks have been echoed by other icons of British music, including Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John, who have also expressed their concerns about the ethical implications of AI’s role in creative industries.
The Future of Creativity and AI in Britain
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the fight to protect the creative industries in the UK is far from over.
With artists, musicians, and cultural figures speaking out against the changes, the outcome of this battle could have lasting implications for how intellectual property is handled in the age of AI.
For now, the “Make It Fair” campaign continues to gather support, and its supporters remain hopeful that the government will listen and reconsider its stance on these crucial issues.