UK Government U-turns on AI copyright proposal in win for creatives

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, has confirmed that the UK government will not proceed with plans to allow AI companies free access to copyrighted material for training. Instead, the government aims to protect the UK’s creative industries, which contribute £146 billion annually to the economy, while harnessing the potential of AI for economic and societal growth.

The decision follows the publication of two statutory reports on AI-related copyright issues and their economic impact, required to fulfil a commitment under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA Act). 

The government acknowledges a lack of consensus on how to balance the interests of creatives with the needs of AI developers, citing uncertainty about the impact of potential market interventions as a reason for avoiding immediate legislative changes to UK copyright law.

Instead of reform, the government will continue to monitor the situation. Moving forward, the government will gather further evidence, review transparency rules in other jurisdictions such as the EU, and support industry-led standards for access control. 

A legal analysis by Pinsent Masons suggests the move represents a strategic shift towards encouraging the adoption of AI systems trained elsewhere using non-UK data, rather than focusing on domestic model training.

Training Announcement: The BCS Foundation Certificate in AI examines the challenges and risks associated with AI projects, such as those related to privacy, transparency and potential biases in algorithms that could lead to unintended consequences. Explore the role of data, effective risk management strategies, compliance requirements, and ongoing governance of the AI lifecycle and become a certified AI Governance professional. Find out more.