Clegg: Demanding AI Copyright Permission Would “Kill” UK Industry

Former Meta executive Sir Nick Clegg argues that requiring tech companies to seek permission to use copyrighted material for AI training would cripple the UK’s artificial intelligence sector.

In a recent statement, Sir Nick Clegg, formerly a high-ranking executive at Meta, weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding copyright and AI. He asserted that implementing a law mandating technology companies to obtain explicit consent before using copyrighted content to train AI models would effectively “kill the AI industry” in the UK.

Clegg’s comments come as UK lawmakers recently voted against proposals aimed at increasing transparency regarding the use of copyrighted works in AI training. These proposals would have enabled copyright holders to track when and by whom their content was utilized.

Prominent figures in the creative industries, including music icons Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, have voiced strong opposition to any changes in copyright law that would allow tech companies free access to their work. They argue that such changes could devastate the livelihoods of the 2.5 million individuals employed in the UK’s creative sector.

Speaking at the Charleston Festival, Clegg defended the current practices of technology companies, stating that AI systems already rely on vast datasets for training. He argued that requiring permission for every piece of copyrighted material would be “unworkable” and “implausible.”

“I think people should have clear, easy to use ways of saying, no, I don’t. I want out of this,” Clegg conceded, advocating for an opt-out system. However, he maintained that expecting the industry to proactively seek permission before training AI models is not feasible, clashing with the technological realities.

Clegg’s stance reflects a growing tension between the technology sector and the creative industries over the use of copyrighted material in AI development. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the future of AI innovation in the UK.

Sir Nick Clegg’s new book “How to Save the Internet”, is due to be released in September.

Keywords: Nick Clegg, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Copyright, Meta, UK, Technology, Creative Industries, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Copyright Law