It’s grand theft AI and UK ministers are behind it. Oppose this robbery of people’s creativity | Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alastair Webber
The plan to weaken copyright law, allowing tech firms to profit for free from people’s talent, is an outrage, and the nation would suffer
We are father and son: one has written 16 musicals and counting, the other cofounded The Other Songs, a leading independent record and publishing company. Our work has employed thousands globally, nurturing the next generation of talent. Copyright is the foundation that protects this, and all creative work: from music, theatre and literature to film and art. Copyright ensures creators retain control and are fairly compensated. It underpins the creative economy. Put simply, it allows artists and creatives to make a living. Endless studies have shown what a benefit that creativity – music, theatre, dance, art, film, TV, the list is endless – has on the rest of society.
Yet, today, the UK government is proposing changes that would strip creators of this protection. Under the data (use and access) bill, AI companies would be allowed to take works, past and future, and use them as training data without consent or payment. These models digest vast amounts of human-created content and then generate imitations, bypassing the rights of the original creators. The government’s proposed “opt-out” system – the idea that they will always be in a position to preemptively reserve their rights – is a sham. It is technically impossible for artists to opt out. The government’s consultation ends today, but we should be clear: this is not regulation, it is a free pass for AI to exploit creativity without consequence.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Creative industries protest against UK plan about AI and copyright
Government’s proposals could make it easier to train artificial intelligence models using artists’ worksFinancial Times - 9h -
Creative industries are among the UK’s crown jewels – and AI is out to steal them | John Naughton
The tech firms’ efforts to change copyright laws and gain free access to intellectual property is patently wrong. There are decades when nothing happens (as Lenin is – wrongly – supposed to have ...The Guardian - 2d -
To speed or not to speed: How 'Hamlet' came to Grand Theft Auto
“Grand Theft Hamlet,” which debuts on Mubi Friday, is a documentary about how a group of friends brought "Hamlet" to life in Grand Theft Auto.NBC News - 4d -
UK ministers head to India in search of trade deal they hope will boost economy
Business secretary says negotiations – now in their 15th round – are a ‘top priority’ for Labour government. Ministers are relaunching negotiations with India this week in an attempt to clinch a ...The Guardian - 1d -
Segwise launches Creative Analytics AI Agent on its user acquisition platform
Segwise announced the launch of its new AI agent, which helps track the performance of ads for mobile games and apps.VentureBeat - 18h -
The Guardian view on AI and copyright: creativity should be cherished, not given away | Editorial
The government’s consultation was weighted towards big tech. Now is the time for a rethink. It’s a seductive promise: let our computers scrape the internet for ideas, images, forms of words, ...The Guardian - 14h -
UK police to crack down on theft with help from ‘find my phone’ apps
New bill includes powers to tackle neighbourhood crime such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviourFinancial Times - 2h -
Current and Former Scale AI Contractors Allege ‘Wage Theft’ in Letter to U.S. Senators
Scale’s former managing director will appear this week in a Senate confirmation hearing for the White House’s top science role.Inc. - 11h -
UK develops AI CV-writing tool to ease pressure on job support staff
Plan will free up work coaches for more ‘valuable’ employment as ministers seek to cut welfare billFinancial Times - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Russia-Ukraine war live: all of Ukraine under air raid alert as Russian attacks continue; Macron says ceasefire could come in ‘weeks’
Air attacks damage houses in Kyiv; French president says he told Trump deal should be ‘substantial for Ukraine’. Macron warns against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine A Russian air attack injured a ...The Guardian - 18m -
More than 160 Gazan medics held in Israeli prisons amid reports of torture
Senior doctors claim they were subjected to months of physical abuse, as UN calls for release of those still detained. ‘No rules’: Gaza’s doctors say they were tortured, beaten and humiliated in ...The Guardian - 4h -
Dashcam footage captures deadly bridge collapse in South Korea
Sections of partly constructed elevated motorway in Anseong fell one after the other, killing at least three construction workers. A motorway bridge collapse has killed at least three people and ...The Guardian - 3h -
Shimmering oarfish rarely seen near ocean surface pops up on Mexico beach
Distinctive, slender deep-sea creature, also known as ‘doomsday’ fish, seen wriggling on Baja California beach. A shimmery, slinky oarfish – a deep-sea creature that is rarely seen near the surface ...The Guardian - 7h -
Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed cargo ship after undersea cable damaged
Taiwan’s coastguard says it ‘cannot be ruled out that it was a grey-zone intrusion by China’. Taiwan’s coastguard has detained a cargo ship and its Chinese crew after an undersea cable in the ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
4 Workers Killed in Highway Bridge Collapse in South Korea
Six others were injured when part of a highway construction site broke apart on Tuesday morning, officials said.The New York Times - 12m -
Merz makes moves to build coalition as German parliamentary groups meet for first time since election – Europe live
Friedrich Merz aiming to build government before Easter after winning most votes in Germany election. Pope Francis continues his recovery from pneumonia in a Rome hospital, with Vatican telling us ...The Guardian - 17m -
We know so little about taking weight-loss drugs without prescription – is it really worth it? | Devi Sridhar
Studies show that they’re effective for overweight people, but if you’re healthy, there are less risky ways to lose weight. When I’ve been in the gym over the past few months, one of the things ...The Guardian - 17m -
Russia-Ukraine war live: all of Ukraine under air raid alert as Russian attacks continue; Macron says ceasefire could come in ‘weeks’
Air attacks damage houses in Kyiv; French president says he told Trump deal should be ‘substantial for Ukraine’. Macron warns against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine A Russian air attack injured a ...The Guardian - 18m -
Britain’s household energy bills to rise from April
Regulator Ofgem lifts quarterly price cap 6.4% following increase in wholesale costsFinancial Times - 22m