Artificial Intelligence is currently a hot topic among technology companies, as its significance continues to expand. With this evolution, criticism has also risen, particularly in the UK Parliament, where concerns have been raised about AI’s use of customer data and copyright issues.
A former executive from Meta has argued that requiring AI companies to seek permission for using copyrighted material would render the technology unfeasible. At the center of the debate is the Data (Use and Access) Bill, aimed at regulating how user and customer data can be accessed and utilized.
This legislation could significantly affect the technology sector, especially AI firms that rely on vast amounts of human-generated content for training their models. Nick Clegg, who previously held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and served as an executive at Meta, voiced his perspective that AI companies should not have to acquire permission to leverage copyright-protected data.
He expressed his views during a book promotion event, emphasizing that requiring compliance with copyright laws would jeopardize the growth of the UK’s AI industry. Clegg pointed out that the data is largely available to the public and that effective AI systems necessitate substantial data to enhance their performance.
He contends that traditional copyright laws clash with the operational needs of AI and proposes that while artists should have a way to opt out of having their work used for AI training, obtaining express consent is impractical. Meanwhile, the Data (Use and Access) Bill, led by director Beeban Kidron, seeks to impose transparency on how AI companies use data.
However, Kidron’s proposal for added regulation was rejected by Parliament, leading her to accuse the UK government of enabling mass cultural appropriation without proper oversight. The draft of the Bill is expected to return to the House of Lords for another vote on June 2.