As UK policymakers consider how to regulate the AI sector, Nick Clegg, who is a former deputy prime minister and worked at Meta, warned that requiring artist consent could severely harm the AI industry.
At a book promotion event, Clegg expressed that artists should have the option to refuse their work being used for AI training. However, he argued that it’s impractical to seek permission before using their content.
Clegg noted that many in the creative field want stricter rules, saying, “A lot of people think you should only use my work if you ask me first.” He found this idea unrealistic, considering the vast amounts of data needed for training AI systems.
He added, “I really don’t know how you could ask everyone for permission. It just seems impossible to me. And if the UK did it alone while other countries didn’t, it would effectively destroy our AI industry overnight.”
His remarks come amid discussions in Parliament about new laws aimed at giving artists more clarity on how their work is utilized by AI companies.
An amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would require tech firms to reveal which copyrighted materials were used to train their AI models.
Many prominent figures, including Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, have signed an open letter supporting this amendment.
This amendment, proposed by Beeban Kidron, a film producer and director, has gained traction but faced rejection from Parliament.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated that both the AI and creative sectors are essential for the UK’s economic success.
Kidron and others believe that requiring transparency would help enforce copyright laws and deter AI companies from using creative work without permission.
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