MPs warn of ‘lack of definitive plan’ to counter AI risks

Developments in artificial intelligence will continue to pose a risk to creatives unless the government establishes a "definitive action plan", MPs have warned.

Responding to a report by the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee highlighting concerns from across the creative industries about the emerging technology, the government confirmed it has ditched contentious plans to allow a copyright exception for text and data mining for AI.

It also said that work to develop a code of practice on copyright and AI, in collaboration with industry representatives, which it intends to be "balanced and pragmatic" is ongoing, with the findings due to be published soon.

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Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the CMS Select Committee, said that while she welcomed the government's commitment to developing a code of practice and exploring stronger legal protections for creators whose likenesses are misused by generative AI, more must be done. 

"Without a definitive plan of action, we are concerned that AI will continue to pose a threat to creators' intellectual property," she said. 

"The government must move quickly to show it is serious about the issue and rebuild trust with the creative industries."

The select committee's report, published in August, called for all branches of government to "better understand the impact of AI, and technology more broadly, on the creative industries and be able to defend their interests consistently”.

Supercharging productivity

In its response the government said AI has enormous potential to deliver better public services, high quality jobs and opportunities, and enable future high growth industries. 

"Creative sectors can supercharge productivity and efficiency through AI innovation," the response states.

"The increasing digitalisation of creative content enables analysis using AI and machine learning, opening up opportunities to better understand creative activity such as in art or fashion, which may have beneficial commercial applications.

"But it is equally important that while we harness the benefits of AI, we also manage the risks and continue to incentivise creativity and originality, and the government is acutely aware of the concerns of media and creative industries sectors in this respect. 

"It is vitally important that AI-generated content does not supplant the work of our musicians, filmmakers and journalists. 

"The concerns of these sectors, particularly in the relationship between intellectual property and generative AI, and the profound potential implications for human creativity, are therefore a key element of the government’s broader work on AI-related policy."