In a letter sent to the prime minister seen by The Guardian, over 70 of the most well-known creative forces in the UK, including the likes of Mick Jagger and Annie Lennox, have signed their names to implore Starmer to stand against AI policies which “leave the door wide open for an artist’s life work to be stolen.”
It is widely expected that during the US president’s state visit to the country, which begins on September 17th, a major announcement will be made with regard to a new transatlantic technology deal, includes certain aspects of AI. For his part, Trump is set to be joined by senior figures from US technology firms.
In light of this development, the signatories said in the letter: “We will not accept this,” before adding, “And we will not let the government forget their election promises to support our creative industries.”
There is major concern among the creative industries that the UK-US deal could further the cause of a proposed copyright law in Britain, which would allow AI firms to train their models based on existing art, such as music, and the creators would only be able to object via a complex opt-out system.
The letter noted that AI companies are supporting the proposal “en masse”, but that it “actively stood in the way” of artists’ human rights, as it is stipulated in the European Convention for Human Rights that “no one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest”.
John and the rest of the signatories said: “The government’s formal position has exhibited a shocking indifference to mass theft, and a complete unwillingness to enforce the existing law.”
