Former Meta Executive Warns Artist Opt-Out Rights Could Kill UK AI Industry
Former Meta exec Nick Clegg says requiring artists' permission before using their work to train AI is “not reasonable” and could halt AI progress. Artists seek control, but enforcement is tough.
Former Meta Exec Says Artists Opting Out of AI Training Is ‘Not Reasonable’
Sir Nick Clegg, former Meta executive and UK deputy prime minister, has voiced strong opinions against laws that would require tech companies to get permission from artists before using their copyrighted work to train AI systems. He argues such regulations could “basically kill the AI industry.”
Clegg points out that AI models are already trained on vast amounts of data scraped from the internet without explicit consent. “It’s out there already,” he said, emphasizing the practical challenges of enforcing opt-out rights.
Artists Push Back
However, Clegg describes these demands as “implausible” in practice. He acknowledges the artists’ desire for control but says the technology’s nature makes it nearly impossible to seek consent from every creator before training an AI.
Balancing Rights and Technology
“On the one hand, yeah, it seems natural and fair to allow people to opt out of having their work used indefinitely,” Clegg explained. “But I don’t see how asking everyone first could work in reality.” He warns that if the UK imposed such rules unilaterally, it might halt AI development in the country.
Instead, Clegg suggests providing artists with “clear, easy to use ways” to say “no” after the fact. Yet, expecting tech companies to get permission before training is, in his view, incompatible with how AI technology operates today.
Recent Developments in Parliament
At a recent hearing, UK Parliament considered whether copyright holders should have the right to know when and how their work has been used to train AI. The proposed transparency amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill was rejected by MPs, with 195 voting against and 124 in favor.
This decision reflects the ongoing tension between protecting creative rights and fostering AI innovation.
Where to Learn More
For creatives interested in understanding AI and how it impacts content creation, exploring AI training courses can be valuable. Resources like Complete AI Training offer practical insights into AI tools and workflows relevant to artists and creators.
