In the UK, as discussions around the regulation of the AI industry continue, Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister of the UK and ex-Meta executive, has expressed concerns that enforcing artist consent could severely impact the development of artificial intelligence.
At a recent event held to promote his new book, Clegg emphasized the importance of giving the creative community the right to opt-out of their work being used in training AI models. However, he argued that obtaining consent prior to using their content is unrealistic given the scale at which AI systems operate.
According to Clegg, “The creative community wants to go a step further,” suggesting that many believe consent should be mandatory before using their work. He noted, “That strikes me as somewhat implausible because these systems train on vast amounts of data.”
Clegg elaborated, “I just don’t know how you go around asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work. And by the way, if you did it in Britain and no one else did, you would basically kill the AI industry here overnight.”
These remarks came amid ongoing parliamentary debates regarding new legislation aimed at enhancing transparency for the creative industries concerning their work’s usage by AI companies. An amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill proposes that technology firms disclose which copyrighted materials were utilized in training their AI models. High-profile figures such as Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber have joined many artists, writers, designers, and journalists in endorsing this amendment.
The amendment, championed by Beeban Kidron, a film producer and director, has garnered significant attention and support. However, on Thursday, MPs voted against the proposal, with technology secretary Peter Kyle asserting that the success of Britain’s economy relies on the harmonious progress of both the AI and creative sectors. Kidron and other advocates have indicated that requiring transparency could help enforce copyright laws, reducing the likelihood of AI companies misappropriating creators’ work.
In a recent op-ed featured in the Guardian, Kidron reassured supporters that “the fight isn’t over yet,” as the Data (Use and Access) Bill is set to return to the House of Lords in early June.
