LONDON -- LONDON (AP) — Paul McCartney has called on the British government to reconsider proposed changes to copyright laws that he believes could allow artificial intelligence companies to exploit artists' work. The government is currently seeking public input on a plan that would allow tech firms to utilize copyrighted materials for training AI models unless the original creators expressly opt out. In an interview set to air on Sunday, McCartney expressed concerns to the BBC about how this approach would diminish artists' control over their creations and negatively impact the UK's creative sector. "You have young talent emerging, writing beautiful songs, yet they end up without ownership or involvement in their own work. Anyone could take it freely, " remarked the 82-year-old former Beatle, with a preview of the interview released by the BBC on Saturday. “Ultimately, the money goes somewhere. When their work hits streaming platforms, someone benefits, and it ought to be the original creator, not a faceless tech corporation. ” The center-left Labour Party government aims to position the U. K. as a global leader in AI.

In December, they initiated a consultation on how copyright law might balance enabling creators to maintain control and secure compensation for their works used in AI training while also facilitating access for AI developers to a variety of high-quality creative content. A coalition of publishers, organizations representing artists, and media companies—including The Associated Press—has united as the Creative Rights in AI Coalition to oppose any dilution of copyright protections. “We’re the people and you’re the government. Your duty is to safeguard us, ” McCartney stated. “So, if you're advancing any legislation, ensure it protects creative thinkers and artists; otherwise, you risk losing them. ”