(From left) Elton John and Paul McCartney. Images: AFP

Two of Great Britain’s leading music icons, Elton John and Paul McCartney, urged the government of United Kingdom on Sunday, January 26 to protect creative artists from AI, as ministers consult on changing copyright laws.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is considering overhauling the law to allow AI developers to use creators’ content online to help develop their models unless rights holders opt out.

Article continues after this advertisement

The mooted changes could see technology companies permitted to use material that is available online without respecting copyright if they are using it for text or data mining.

FEATURED STORIES ENTERTAINMENT Zambales university apologizes for CJ Opiaza photo gaffe ENTERTAINMENT Pauleen Luna elated over court order to remove ‘Pepsi Paloma’ teaser ENTERTAINMENT Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo get child baptized

But critics, including pop music legends John and McCartney, question how artists will opt out from all of the many different AI firms’ generative programs or monitor what has happened to their work online.

The “wheels are in motion to allow AI companies to ride roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods,” John told The Sunday Times.

Article continues after this advertisement

“This will allow global big tech companies to gain free and easy access to artists’ work in order to train their artificial intelligence and create competing music.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The 77-year-old behind hits including “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” warned this will “dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings” and that “the musician community rejects it wholeheartedly”.

Article continues after this advertisement

The government has said it will use its consultation running until February 25 to explore key points of the debate including how creators can license and be remunerated for the use of their material.

‘Loss of creativity’

Starmer has previously said the government needs to “get the balance right” with copyright and AI while noting the tech represented “a huge opportunity”.

Article continues after this advertisement

Asked about the plans in a BBC interview Sunday, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves insisted, “we want to support artists.”

McCartney, 82 — one of the two surviving members of The Beatles — echoed fears that the plans could dampen the incentive for writers and artists to create new material and result in a “loss of creativity”.

In a rare interview, he told the BBC any new legislation regarding copyright must “protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists,” warning “you’re not going to have them” without that.

“You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they don’t have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off,” he said.

Alexander said Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the EU caused “significant disruption” to its trade policy and the country needed to recalibrate its global trade outlook.

Comments from top Federal Reserve officials suggesting they would like to see a slower pace of rate cuts tempered hopes for another bumper cut at the bank’s next meeting, while Middle East worries pushed gold to a new record.

“The truth is, the money’s going somewhere… Somebody’s getting paid, so why shouldn’t it be the guy who sat down and wrote ‘Yesterday’?”

In 2023, McCartney and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr used AI to extract John Lennon’s vocals from an unfinished decades-old song and produce a new track called “Now and Then”.

“I think AI is great, and it can do lots of great things,” McCartney told the BBC in the rare interview, adding “it has its uses.”

pop the slots Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“But it shouldn’t rip creative people off. There’s no sense in that.”fb777

READ NEXT Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo get child baptized Alex Gonzaga says sorry to husband Mikee Morada after 3rd misc... EDITORS' PICK DepEd thinks CSE directive is innocent, Romulo says it’s contradicting Maharlika’s investment to NGCP expected to lower electricity costs DeepSeek: Chinese AI firm sending shock waves through US tech Famous Chinese streamer shocks fans with real look at awards show Quimbo: Blanks in 2025 budget only for final computation Trump ‘not 100% sure’ he’s barred from third term MOST READ BOC intercepts undeclared foreign currency worth Php 24.20M Lack of slots makes entry into ‘Pisay’ tougher Famous Chinese streamer shocks fans with real look at awards show Woman celebrates 2 months with pig kidney transplant Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• fb777
• Elton
• John
• Paul
• McCartney

Last：fb777 Trump floats plan to move Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan    Next：None