As the UK government contemplates a consultation on artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, and copyright, we are reminded of Michelle Obama's words: “There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness.”
Despite strong pushback from cultural industries, the UK government appears to be mimicking the US's stance by compromising the protections of artists and creatives. This is a precarious moment for the cultural sector, often termed “the UK crown jewels,” which generated £125 billion, or 5.7%, of the UK economy in 2022.
The actions taken now could have a catastrophic impact on the future of our cultural landscape, as artists, musicians, film-makers, and content creators face the threat of having their work exploited by tech companies without proper compensation.
This situation calls for urgent and meaningful policy intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of our creative professionals and ensure that the cultural sector is not sacrificed to placate the interests of big tech.
