Elton John Slams U.K. Copyright Changes That Would Let AI ‘Ride Roughshod’ Over Artists

Following Paul McCartney’s lead, Elton John called on the U.K. government to impose new rules to protect the copyrights of artists and musicians amidst the rise of artificial intelligence. 

In a new interview with The Times, John expressed concern that the “wheels are in motion to allow AI companies to ride roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods.”

Specifically, John backed an amendment to a proposed bill (which will be voted on tomorrow, Jan. 28) that would extend existing copyright protections in the U.K. The amendment is part of an an effort to preempt a possible overhaul of U.K. copyright law that would potentially give generative AI companies greater access to copyrighted works by forcing artists and rights holders to actively “opt out” of having their works used.

“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,” John said. “This will dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further. The musician community rejects it wholeheartedly.”

McCartney similarly shared his concerns and frustrations on the matter, saying these new laws would allow AI to “rip off” creators and specifically hinder younger artists. “You get young guys and girls coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it,” McCartney told the BBC. “They don’t have anything to do with it, and anyone who wants can just rip it off.”

John, in his interview, noted that it’s already “harder than ever for new and emerging musicians to make the finances of the industry stack up to sustain a fledgling career, due to challenging financial situations, including the increased costs of touring.” Undercutting the protections that allow artists to profit off their work would only further exacerbate those issues, he argued. 

“Without thorough and robust copyright protection that allows artists to earn hard-fought earnings from their music, the UK’s future place on the world stage as a leader in arts and popular culture is under serious jeopardy,” John said. “It is the absolute bedrock of artistic prosperity, and the country’s future success in the creative industries depends on it.”