A fierce dispute over artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law is escalating in the UK, with no resolution in sight as the House of Lords debates the issue. The conflict pits the government against creative industry giants, focusing on the Data (Use and Access) Bill. This legislation allows AI developers to access creative content unless owners opt out, sparking backlash from nearly 300 Lords who demand transparency and licensing for copyrighted material used in AI training.
At stake is the balance between the tech and creative sectors, with human concerns like jobs and artistic expression at the core. The bill, expected to pass smoothly, is now stalled, bouncing between the House of Lords and Commons. Supporters, like former Meta executive Nick Clegg, argue that requiring permission from copyright holders would cripple the AI industry. Opponents, including Baroness Beeban Kidron, a former filmmaker, warn that the bill risks "state-sanctioned theft" from a £124 billion creative sector, threatening livelihoods.
Kidron proposes an amendment requiring Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to report on the law’s impact on creatives three months after enactment. Kyle, who once called copyright law “certain” but now deems it outdated, faces pressure as the government consults further but resists changes unless they benefit creators. If the deadlock persists, the entire bill could be shelved, jeopard of unlikely but possible, jeopard of a big deal since it also covers unrelated issues like bereaved parents’ access to deceased children’s data, NHS data sharing, and a 3D map of UK underground infrastructure.
This standoff, described as “uncharted territory,” shows growing support for the creative industry’s cause, with both sides digging in. The outcome will shape how AI innovation and creative rights coexist, with significant economic and cultural implications.