Music icon Elton John has strongly criticised the British government’s proposed AI copyright reforms, calling the plan “criminal” and accusing officials of enabling tech companies to exploit the work of creators without fair compensation.
The proposed policy, part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vision to make the UK a global AI leader, would allow artificial intelligence developers to train their models on any legally accessible content, including music, film, and literature, without guaranteed payment to creators. The plan includes an “opt-out” clause, requiring artists and creators to take action to protect their work from being used.
Elton John: “It Feels Like Theft”
In an interview with the BBC, Elton John, who has sold over 300 million records throughout his six-decade career, said the move would particularly hurt young artists, who lack the financial and legal resources to monitor and challenge the use of their work by AI firms.
“A machine doesn’t have a soul, heart, or passion,” John said. “When people create art, they do it to bring joy and meaning, not just to feed algorithms.”
John, a long-time supporter of the Labour Party, said he feels “betrayed“ by the proposal and vowed to continue advocating for protections that ensure creative professionals are properly paid.
Creative Industry Pushback
Elton John joins a chorus of top UK creatives, including Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Ed Sheeran, in urging the government to abandon or revise the legislation. They argue that the proposal could undermine the economic stability of the UK’s thriving creative industries, which employ thousands across music, theatre, publishing, advertising, and more.
Critics say the proposal risks devaluing original creative work, allowing AI companies to capitalise on generations of cultural content without meaningful collaboration or compensation.
Government Responds
In response to the backlash, the UK government said it is still consulting on the proposal and will not implement any changes unless they “work for creators.” Officials also pledged to release a full economic impact assessment before finalising any new copyright laws.
While aiming to support both the tech sector and creative professionals, the government faces mounting pressure to strike a fair balance between innovation and intellectual property rights.
