Keir Starmer says media firms should have control of output used in AI

Keir Starmer has said media outlets should have control over – and be paid for – their work as artificial intelligence technology transforms the economy and the UK. Calling journalism the "lifeblood of democracy", the prime minister vowed to "champion press freedoms" and ensure that "the growing power of digital technology does not begin to chip away" at the ability of journalists and publishers to uphold democratic values. In an article launching the News Media Association's Journalism Matters campaign, Starmer said AI, the creative industries and the media were central to the government's mission on economic growth, and it was working with both sectors to "balance" its industrial policy. "We recognise the basic principle that publishers should have control over and seek payment for their work, including when thinking about the role of AI," Starmer said. This was "essential for a vibrant media landscape, in which the sector's provision of trustworthy information is more vital than ever".