Sir Paul McCartney has expressed concerns to the BBC about potential changes to copyright law that could facilitate unauthorized use of creators' content, jeopardizing musicians and artists' livelihoods.
The government is contemplating amendments that would permit AI developers to utilize creators' content from the internet unless rights holders actively opt out.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Paul highlighted the importance of maintaining incentives for writers and artists, cautioning that the proposed changes may stifle creativity and impede artistic ownership.
The government aims to establish a copyright regime that offers creators "real control" and transparency.
Sir Paul, a surviving member of the Beatles, emphasized the significance of protecting creators' rights: "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 appealed to the government to reconsider its plans, asserting, "We're the people, you're the government! You're supposed to protect us. That's your job."
The government is currently seeking feedback on proposals that would permit AI companies to utilize online content for text or data mining purposes without adhering to copyright regulations.
Enabling artists or creators to "opt out" through a "rights reservation" is being considered, though concerns exist over the practicality of ensuring content is not misused across the internet.
Critics argue that artists should have the option to "opt in" to authorize the use of their content, a proposal soon to be presented in the House of Lords.
Tom Kiehl of UK Music warned that altering copyright laws to accommodate AI firms could endanger the music industry, citing the substantial economic contributions of the sector.
A government spokesperson emphasized the consultation process to safeguard artists within the evolving digital landscape, acknowledging the valuable contributions of the UK's music industry.
Amidst these discussions, the Beatles' recent release and Sir Paul's successful concert tour have garnered significant recognition and accolades worldwide.