S Poddar
Singer Paul McCartney has warned that artificial intelligence may take advantage of artists if the proposed changes to copyright laws are approved. The famous member of the Beatles called on the government to protect creative professionals, saying the changes would erode incentives for artists and stifle creativity.
Speaking to the BBC, McCartney cautioned that the suggested reforms might remove the rights of new musicians and songwriters over their creations. “You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they don’t have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off,” he said.
He further questioned the fairness of the financial aspect, saying, “The truth is, the money’s going somewhere … Somebody’s getting paid, so why shouldn’t it be the guy who sat down and wrote Yesterday?”
The problem arises from the fact that copyrighted materials are being used to train AI models, which has been a global debate and legal battle. Many in the creative industry argue that their work is being used without proper authorization, while some publishing companies and media organizations have opted to strike licensing deals with AI firms to formalize the process.
McCartney has been vocal about the dangers AI poses to the arts. In December, he warned that AI could “just take over” and joined actors such as Julianne Moore, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Bonneville in signing a petition. The petition argues that using copyrighted material without permission for AI training threatens the livelihoods of creatives and should not be allowed.
Another novelist, Kate Mosse, has also joined the fray by supporting a related campaign calling for amendments to the data bill. These amendments would strengthen the enforcement of existing UK copyright laws, ensuring that creators have the right to negotiate fair compensation when their work is licensed.
The UK government has launched a consultation process that will run until February 25, with the aim of addressing some of the key concerns in the ongoing debate. It focuses on building trust between the creative and AI industries and finding fair licensing and compensation models for artists whose work is used in AI training.
McCartney has made a direct appeal to policymakers, urging them to reconsider the proposed reforms. “We’re the people, you’re the government. You’re supposed to protect us. That’s your job,” he said. “So you know, if you’re putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you’re not going to have them.”
Interestingly, McCartney and fellow Beatles member Ringo Starr utilized AI in 2023 to complete the song Now And Then. The technology was used to extract and enhance John Lennon’s vocals from a 1977 home recording, demonstrating AI’s potential in a controlled and artist-driven setting.
These concerns have been recognized by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who said that the government is fully of the view that artists should be able to have control and ownership over how AI companies use their works. She added that there must also be legal certainty for collaboration between the creative and AI sectors in a manner that benefits both.
With debates yet to settle, the balance between technological innovation and the rights of artists remains in the forefront. Whether this current consultation leads to a fair resolution only time will tell, but it does constitute the increasing urgency that the problem poses for many musicians, writers, and artists.
