UK Copyright Battle: Stars vs. AI

Superstars Sound the Alarm

Some of the UK’s most celebrated musicians—among them Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Sam Smith—have come together in an open letter urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reconsider proposed legislation that would allow artificial intelligence models to freely train on copyrighted content. The high-profile coalition warned that such moves could jeopardize artists’ control over their work and undermine the country’s creative economy. Composed by the Music Fights AI coalition, the letter describes the plans as “reckless” and a serious threat to the long-term viability of the UK’s world-leading music sector.

Between Innovation and Exploitation

At the heart of the debate is the government’s consideration of a copyright exception that would give AI developers the legal right to scrape creative works—music, lyrics, and more—for machine learning purposes without acquiring licenses. The artists argue this hands AI firms a blank check to exploit human creativity without consent or compensation. Critics also point out that such exceptions could damage the UK’s global reputation as a hub for intellectual property rights. While tech companies champion innovation, artists are calling for transparency, oversight, and a legal framework that protects their livelihoods.