Nick Clegg Warns UK AI Regulation Could Stifle Industry
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Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg suggests that requiring artist consent for AI training could severely harm the UK’s AI sector.
As the UK government deliberates on artificial intelligence regulations, nick Clegg, former UK deputy prime minister and former Meta executive, argued that mandating artist consent would “basically kill” the AI industry.
Speaking at an event promoting his new book, Clegg stated that while the creative community should have the option to exclude their work from AI model training, seeking consent beforehand is impractical. He believes that obtaining permission before using content to train AI models isn’t feasible.
“I think the creative community wants to go a step further,” Clegg saeid according to The Times. “Quite a lot of voices say,’You can only train on my content,[if you] first ask’. And I have to say that strikes me as somewhat implausible because thes systems train on vast amounts of data.”
“I just don’t no how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work,” Clegg said. “And by the way if you did it in Britain and no one else did it, you would basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight.”
Parliament debates AI Regulation
Clegg’s remarks come amid parliamentary discussions on legislation aimed at providing creative industries with greater openness regarding the use of their work by AI companies. An amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would compel technology firms to reveal which copyrighted materials were used in AI model training.Numerous figures, including Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, endorsed the amendment in an open letter earlier this month.
“I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work,”
the amendment,proposed by Beeban Kidron,a film producer and director,has garnered support but was recently rejected by members of parliament. Technology secretary Peter Kyle stated that “Britain’s economy needs both [AI and creative] sectors to succeed and to prosper.” Kidron and others have argued that a transparency requirement would facilitate copyright enforcement and deter AI companies from “stealing” content.
In an op-ed in the Guardian, Kidron asserted that “the fight isn’t over yet,” as the Data (Use and Access) Bill returns to the House of Lords in early June.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is artist consent a point of contention in AI regulation?
- Requiring explicit consent from artists before using their work to train AI models could potentially slow down AI advancement and innovation, as it may be challenging to obtain consent for vast amounts of data. However, artists and copyright holders argue that their rights should be protected, and they should have control over how their work is used.
- What are the potential consequences of strict AI regulation in the UK?
- Some argue that overly strict AI regulation in the UK could stifle innovation and make the country less competitive in the global AI market. Companies might choose to develop AI technologies in countries with more lenient regulations, potentially leading to economic disadvantages for the UK.
- What is the Data (Use and Access) Bill?
- The Data (Use and Access) Bill is a proposed piece of legislation in the UK that aims to provide a framework for data sharing and access. An amendment to the bill seeks to require technology companies to disclose what copyrighted works were used to train AI models, promoting transparency and potentially enabling copyright enforcement.
