UK backs off default AI training on copyrighted material

"We have listened. We have engaged extensively with creatives, AI firms, industry bodies, unions, academics, and AI adopters, and that engagement has shaped our approach. This is why we can confirm today that the Government no longer has a preferred option."

"The success of the AI sector and the CIs are intertwined. The CIs generate high-quality content that is needed to train the best AI models. Meanwhile, AI has the potential to transform creators' workflows, amplifying their productivity and giving them powerful new tools."

"AI adoption could add 0.4 to 1.3 percentage points to productivity. This could translate into an additional £55 billion to £140 billion in the UK's gross value added (GVA) by 2030. These estimates are highly uncertain."

The UK government reversed its position on allowing AI companies to access copyrighted material for training without explicit permission. The shift came after significant opposition from creative industry leaders including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Coldplay, Richard Curtis, Antony Gormley, and Ian McKellen. Science minister Liz Kendall stated the government no longer has a preferred option after extensive engagement with creatives, AI firms, industry bodies, unions, and academics. The government published reports estimating AI adoption could add £55-140 billion to UK gross value added by 2030. The creative industries contribute £146 billion to UK GVA, with £62 billion from IT software and computer services. The reports acknowledge that AI sector success and creative industries are interdependent, with creative content essential for training AI models while AI offers productivity benefits to creators.

Read at Theregister