Rebooting Copyright: How the UK Can Be a Global Leader in the Arts and AI
The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has released a report calling for the UK to lead in navigating the complex intersection of arts and AI. According to the report, titled ‘Rebooting Copyright: How the UK Can Be a Global Leader in the Arts and AI,’ the global race for cultural and technological leadership is still up for grabs, and the UK has a golden opportunity to take the lead.
The Intersection of Arts and AI
The report emphasizes that countries that "embrace change and harness the power of artificial intelligence in creative ways will set the technical, aesthetic, and regulatory standards for others to follow." Highlighting that we are in the midst of another revolution in media and communication, the report notes that AI is disrupting how textual, visual, and auditive content is created, distributed, and experienced, much like the printing press, gramophone, and camera did before it.
AI’s Impact on Human Creativity
However, far from signalling the end of human creativity, the TBI suggests AI will open up "new ways of being original." The report also notes that AI will usher in a new era of interactive and bespoke works, as well as a counter-revolution that celebrates everything that AI can never be.
Cross-Industry Advancements
The AI revolution’s impact isn’t limited to the creative industries; it’s being felt across all areas of society. Scientists are using AI to accelerate discoveries, healthcare providers are employing it to analyse X-ray images, and emergency services utilise it to locate houses damaged by earthquakes.
UK Government’s Ambition
The UK government has expressed its ambition to be a global leader in AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 13 January 2025. For its part, the TBI welcomes the UK government’s ambition, stating that "if properly designed and deployed, AI can make human lives healthier, safer, and more prosperous."
Challenges and Controversies
However, the rapid spread of AI across sectors raises urgent policy questions, particularly concerning the data used for AI training. The application of UK copyright law to the training of AI models is currently contested, with the debate often framed as a "zero-sum game" between AI developers and rights holders. The TBI argues that this framing "misrepresents the nature of the challenge and the opportunity before us."
TBI’s Recommendations
The report emphasizes that bold policy solutions are needed to provide all parties with legal clarity and unlock investments that spur innovation, job creation, and economic growth. The TBI proposes that the solution lies not in clinging to outdated copyright laws but in allowing them to "co-evolve with technological change" to remain effective in the age of AI.
Criticisms and Controversies
However, the report has faced strong criticism. Ed Newton-Rex, CEO of Fairly Trained, raised several concerns on Bluesky, including the report’s repeated claim that existing UK copyright law is uncertain, the suggestion that an opt-out scheme would give rights holders more control over how their works are used, and the report’s claim that AI developers won’t make long-term profits from training on people’s work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change supports the government’s ambition to be an AI leader, but it also raises critical policy questions, particularly around copyright law and AI training data. The report’s recommendations aim to provide a framework for the UK to lead in the intersection of arts and AI, while addressing the concerns and criticisms raised by experts in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the report’s main recommendation for addressing the intersection of arts and AI?
A: The report suggests that the solution lies not in clinging to outdated copyright laws but in allowing them to "co-evolve with technological change" to remain effective in the age of AI.
Q: What are the potential benefits of the UK leading in the intersection of arts and AI?
A: The report suggests that leading in this area could lead to the creation of new jobs, the development of new industries, and the improvement of human lives through the application of AI in various sectors.
Q: What are the potential challenges of the UK leading in the intersection of arts and AI?
A: The report notes that the rapid spread of AI across sectors raises urgent policy questions, particularly concerning the data used for AI training, and the need for bold policy solutions to provide all parties with legal clarity and unlock investments that spur innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
