At the Brit Awards last night, some of the UK’s biggest music stars came together to voice their opposition to a new proposal that could threaten the country’s creative industries.
The issue centers around a government plan to allow artificial intelligence (AI) developers to use copyrighted material without permission from its creators.
This would apply to films, music, books, and other forms of content, potentially undermining the £126 billion creative sector.
The Message to Labour
The Brit Awards, held at London’s O2 arena, became the stage for stars to speak out against the proposed changes.
Award organizers set up a photo booth on the red carpet where celebrities could show their support for the Make It Fair campaign.
The campaign urges the government to reconsider its plans, which critics argue would enable AI to exploit online content on an industrial scale without compensating or even acknowledging the original creators.
Among those taking part in the protest were McFly’s Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, indie rock group The Last Dinner Party, and Kasabian’s Sergio Pizzorno.
Other stars such as Paloma Faith, Myles Smith, and Rachel Chinouriri also showed their support by posing for photos in the booth.
Musicians Speak Out
Several artists made their stance clear during the evening. Scottish singer Tom Walker, known for his hit Leave A Light On, summed up the protest, saying: “Just leave it to musicians to make music.” As part of the protest, a powerful message was projected on large screens at the O2 arena, with the Make It Fair banner and the slogan “Don’t let AI steal our music.”
The timing of the awards seemed ideal for the campaign, with record label executives encouraging artists to speak up.
BBC Radio One DJ Arielle Free praised the efforts, commending the musicians for backing the cause.
The Controversial Government Proposal
The government’s plans involve giving technology firms free access to British films, books, music, and news to train AI models.
This would be done without requiring permission or compensation for the creators of the original works.
Creators would have to actively register if they want to opt out, which some argue is an inadequate safeguard for protecting intellectual property.
In addition to the threat to the creative industries, there are concerns over the impact on the free press, as journalistic content could be used without any form of compensation.
Keir Starmer Signals Potential Shift
On Friday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer hinted that the government might reconsider its stance.
When asked if the plans were final, Starmer responded, “No, all that’s happened is there’s been a consultation.
The creative sector is really important to our economy.
AI is really important to our economy, and we’ll review it in that light.”
He added that he wanted creatives to thrive, emphasizing their importance to both the economy and the UK’s global reputation.
Jimmy Page Joins the Fight Against AI Exploitation
Rock legend Jimmy Page, best known as the guitarist for Led Zeppelin, also weighed in on the issue.
Page expressed concerns that the government’s proposed changes could be the “death warrant of originality.”
He criticized the plans as a “free pass” for AI to exploit human creativity without accountability.
Drawing from his own experiences as a session musician in the 1960s, Page argued that if someone had stolen his riffs without permission, it would have been considered theft.
He emphasized that the same standard should apply to AI.
While the government has suggested an opt-out for creators, Page dismissed this as a “sham,” and warned that allowing AI to steal from the heart of human creativity would not lead to innovation but to exploitation.
Page’s statement adds to the growing list of musicians, including Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John, who have voiced their opposition to the proposals.
The Future of Creativity at Risk
The debate surrounding AI and its impact on the creative industries has sparked a wider conversation about the balance between technological advancements and protecting the rights of artists.
With the backing of some of the UK’s most iconic musicians, the Make It Fair campaign continues to gain momentum, calling for changes to the law that would protect creators from the unchecked use of their work by AI developers.
As the issue continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these concerns and whether the creative community will see a more balanced approach to AI in the future.