UK Government Withdraws AI Copyright Default Use Proposal, Creators Hail Major Victory

Odaily News The UK government has announced it is abandoning a previous proposal that would have allowed AI companies to use copyrighted content for model training by default under an "opt-out" premise. This proposal had sparked widespread opposition, including from figures like Elton John, Dua Lipa, and the UK House of Lords.

UK Technology Minister Liz Kendall stated that the government has listened to all parties and will not proceed with the proposal. A concurrently released report pointed out that there is still no consensus across sectors on how to balance creators' rights with the development of the AI industry. Tom Kiehl, CEO of UK Music, called this move a "major victory."

However, the UK government has not yet proposed an alternative plan and has stated that it will not adjust current copyright laws until it is confirmed that reforms can achieve economic and social goals. Technology industry groups are concerned that a prolonged lack of clear rules could weaken the UK's position in global competition. (BBC)