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The British government has launched a consultation aimed at regulating the use of copyrighted materials in training artificial intelligence (AI) models, addressing concerns from both creative industries and technology developers.
Announced on December 17, 2024, the initiative seeks to provide clarity on how intellectual property (IP) can be utilized in AI development. This comes in response to growing uncertainty around copyright laws, which the government says is stalling progress in both sectors.
Balancing Innovation and Rights
“Currently, uncertainty about how copyright law applies to AI is holding back both sectors from reaching their full potential,” the government stated.
The lack of clarity limits creators’ ability to manage or monetize their works while exposing AI developers to significant legal risks. These challenges deter investment, stifle innovation, and slow adoption of AI technologies.
Previous efforts to establish a voluntary code of practice between the AI and creative industries have failed, prompting the government to take more proactive measures to achieve a balanced solution.
Proposed Framework
The consultation proposes introducing a copyright exception for AI training conducted for commercial purposes. However, it would still allow rights holders to retain control over how their intellectual property is used.
Additionally, new transparency requirements for AI developers are being considered. These could include mandates for developers to disclose details about the content used to train their AI models, enabling creators to better understand when and how their works have been utilized.
The government emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration with stakeholders in the creative and AI sectors to ensure that any new standards are both fair and effective.
Rising Legal and Ethical Challenges
The consultation comes amid a wave of legal disputes over the use of copyrighted materials in AI training. These challenges highlight the need for clearer guidelines to navigate the intersection of copyright and emerging technologies.
“AI presents unique copyright concerns for businesses, primarily because it can produce content that closely resembles or copies human-generated content, such as articles, publications, images, and music,” said Star Kashman, a cybersecurity and privacy lawyer, in an earlier interview with PYMNTS.
AI models often rely on datasets that include copyrighted works, raising complex questions about ownership and potential infringement.
Industry Response
In response to these challenges, some companies are developing tools to help mitigate copyright risks. For example, Adobe recently launched a video creation tool designed to streamline content production while ensuring that outputs are safe for commercial use.
“This tool enables faster content creation and experimentation, all while ensuring that what is being produced is safe for commercial use,” noted Robert Petrocelli, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Vimeo.
A Forward-Looking Approach
The UK government’s move to regulate the use of copyrighted materials in AI training marks a significant step toward harmonizing innovation with intellectual property rights. By fostering transparency and accountability, the proposed framework aims to unlock the full potential of both the creative and AI sectors, setting a precedent for global best practices in this evolving area.
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