UK proposes letting tech firms use copyrighted work to train AI

The proposed changes are seeking to resolve a standoff between AI firms and creatives. Sir Paul McCartney has warned the technology "could just take over" without new laws. However, it will also allow writers, artists and composers to "reserve their rights", which involves declaring that they do not want their work to be used in an AI training process – or to demand a licence fee to do so. "We're absolutely clear that this is about giving greater control in a difficult and complex set of circumstances to creators and rights holders, and we intend it to lead to more licensing of content, which is potentially a new revenue stream for creators," he said. The British composer Ed Newton-Rex, a key figure in the campaign by creative professionals for a fair deal, told the Guardian in October that opt-out schemes were "totally unfair" for creators.