elton john
Government backtracks on AI and copyright after outcry from major artists
We have listened, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said on Wednesday, saying the government no longer favours that approach. However, the government's position is now unclear, saying it no longer has a preferred option for what to do next. Kendall said the government had engaged extensively with people in the creative and AI industries. It is attempting to balance the interests of the two sectors by giving creatives control how their work is used, while recognising AI models need to be trained on work such as writing, music and video. In a report published on Wednesday, the government said there was no consensus on how these objectives should be achieved.
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan
A campaign fronted by popstars including Elton John and Dua Lipa to protect artists' works from being mined to train AI models without consent has received a boost after almost every respondent to a government consultation backed their case. Ministers subsequently dropped that preference in the face of a backlash. Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, told parliament on Monday there was "no clear consensus" on the issue and the government would "take the time to get this right", and promised to make policy proposals by 18 March 2026. "This means keeping the UK at the cutting edge of science and technology so UK citizens can benefit from major breakthroughs, transformative innovation and greater prosperity. "It also means continuing to support our creative industries, which make a huge economic contribution, shape our national identity and give us a unique position on the world stage."
How can you tell if your new favourite artist is a real person?
How can you tell if your new favourite artist is a real person? There's a new song doing the rounds, and in the immortal words of Kylie Minogue, you just can't get it out of your head. But what if it was created by a robot, or the artist themself is a product of artificial intelligence (AI)? Do streaming sites have an obligation to label music as AI-generated? And does it even matter, if you like what you hear?
Dua Lipa and Sir Elton John's bid to force government to change tack on AI fails
"So this is good news for NHS workers and the police who will be freed from over a million hours of time spent doing admin, bereaved parents who will be supported to get the answers they deserve, and people who will be kept safer online thanks to new offences for deepfake abuse," DSIT said. But even though the Lords have decided they had made their point on AI, the argument has not gone away. Those who fought the battle have not changed their minds. Baroness Kidron, a film maker who led the charge for the amendment, told me the passing of the bill was "a pyrrhic victory at best" for the government, meaning it would lose more than it gains. That cost, she argues, is the giving away of UK assets, in the form of creative content, to largely US-based AI developers.
AI can 'level up' opportunities for dyslexic children, says UK tech secretary
Artificial intelligence should be deployed to "level up" opportunities for dyslexic children, according to the UK science and technology secretary, Peter Kyle, who warned there was currently not enough human capacity to help people with the learning difficulty. Kyle, who is dyslexic and uses AI to support his work, said the government should carefully look at "how AI can transform education and help us assess and understand a young person's abilities into the future". He spoke as the TV chef Jamie Oliver, who is also dyslexic, launched a campaign calling for improved teacher training on dyslexia and earlier screening of children to detect the condition sooner. About 6 million people in the UK are estimated to have dyslexia, which primarily affects reading and writing skills. Kyle told the Guardian he had felt "quite emotional" when seeing AI technology used to help young people learn with "incredible empathy, encouragement and knowledge".
Elton John and Dua Lipa seek protection from AI
Not everyone agrees with the artists' approach. Julia Willemyns, co-founder of the Centre for British Progress think tank, said such proposals could hamper the UK and its bid for growth. The measures would "do nothing to stop foreign firms from using content from the British creative industries," she told the BBC. These tools, which can produce new content in response to simple text prompts, have become increasingly popular and available to consumers. But their capabilities have been accompanied by concerns and criticism over their data use and energy demand.
Simon Cowell warns AI 'shouldn't be able to steal' human talent
The'America's Got Talent' judge tells Fox News Digital why he doesn't like artificial intelligence technology in songwriting. Simon Cowell wants to see artists protected against AI. The "America's Got Talent" judge wrote commentary in The Daily Mail this week criticizing potential changes to U.K. law that would allow companies to use any online material to train AI models unless they explicitly opt out. Cowell warned that the livelihood of artists was at risk of "being wiped out." "The thought that anyone would believe they have the right to blindly give this country's creative ideas away โ for nothing โ is just wrong," he said.
Recommended Reading: The making of Elton John's VR retirement party
How Elton John's VR retirement announcement hit your headset Emma Grey Ellis, Wired If you haven't heard, music legend Sir Elton John announced his retirement and final tour this week in the most 2018 way possible: VR. Wired goes behind the scenes to get the details on how that montage was made before it beamed out to your headset. MLB's Advanced Media arm does a lot of things -- from websites to streaming. It's also working on a video game and Polygon has a detailed look at the development. Spotify's scientist: Artificial intelligence should be embraced, not feared, by the music business Tim Ingham, Music Business Worldwide MBW caught up with the director of Spotify's Creator Technology Research Lab to chat about AI and how it relates to the future of the biz, including robot musicians.
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We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the international organization for public-private cooperation. How to manage AI's risks and rewards Getting to Yes with China in cyberspace: is it possible? Autonomous weapons are already here.