Elton John, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Florence Welch are part of more than 400 musicians who have endorsed a letter urging British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to revise copyright regulations amid advancements in AI technology.
Alongside 400 other artists, we have penned and dispatched this letter to the Prime Minister, appealing for governmental backing of measures designed to safeguard copyrights amidst the rise of AI,” Elton John stated on social media. “This move precedes a critical vote on these plans in the House of Lords scheduled for Monday, May 12th.
Paul McCartney, who
formerly advocated for copyright law safeguards
In an interview with the BBC earlier this year, they also put their signatures on the letter alongside Kate Bush, Robbie Williams, and numerous other musicians, actors, playwrights, directors, and artists.
“Creative copyright serves as the lifeline for the creative sector. It acknowledges the ethical rights we hold over our creations and ensures an earnings source for 2.4 million individuals throughout the UK’s four countries,” the letter states.
The battle to protect our creative sectors has attracted numerous British companies, encompassing both users and developers of AI. Our stance does not oppose advancement or creativity. These industries have historically embraced new technologies at an early stage. In fact, several groundbreaking innovations worldwide, ranging from the lightbulb to AI, owe their existence to pioneering efforts by British creatives tackling technological challenges.
The signatories have expressed backing for the Data (Usage and Accessibility) Act, which mandates that creators must disclose when they use copyrighted work to educate artificial intelligence systems, ensuring transparency for copyright holders.
the BBC reports
The proposal for the bill came from Baroness Beeban Kidron, with a scheduled vote on Monday in the House of Lords.
As the primary responsibility of any administration is to safeguard its populace,” the correspondence went on, stating further that the legislation aims to “place openness at the core of the copyright system and enable AI designers as well as originators to establish licensing frameworks that facilitate the use of human-generated material far ahead in time.
Last December, artists, publishers, media firms, and others united to establish the Creative Rights in AI Coalition. This group seeks to maintain existing copyright safeguards amid the U.K.’s ongoing embrace of artificial intelligence technologies.
“The public is us, and you are the government. It’s your duty to safeguard us,” McCartney told legislators during a BBC interview earlier this year. “Therefore, when drafting legislation, ensure you shield the innovative minds, including creative artists; otherwise, they might disappear. Assuming there exists a government, it should be responsible – in my view – for protecting youth and fostering an environment where everything functions smoothly. This way, these individuals will secure employment and contribute positively to society through exceptional artwork.”
More from Rolling Stone
- Natasha Lyonne Takes on AI with Her Directing Premiere ‘Uncanny Valley’
- Library of Congress Defends National Recording Registry After Bill Maher’s ‘New Rules’ Jab
- Are Em Dashes Really a Sign of AI Writing?
