Nick Clegg Argues Artist Permission for AI Training Is Unrealistic and Threatens UK Industry

Nick Clegg on AI Training and Copyright Concerns

Nick Clegg, Meta’s former president of global affairs, recently shared his views on the challenges of copyright laws in relation to artificial intelligence training. Speaking to members of parliament, Clegg emphasized the impracticality of requiring AI developers to seek explicit permission from every artist before using their work to train AI systems.

“These systems train on vast amounts of data,” Clegg explained. “I just don't see how you go around asking everyone first. If you did it in Britain and no one else did, you would basically kill the AI industry in this country overnight.”

The Debate Around Copyright and AI Training

This discussion came amid proposed changes to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which includes an amendment that would require tech companies to disclose the copyrighted works used for AI training. Many creatives are pushing for this transparency to ensure their work is properly credited.

Earlier this month, a group of high-profile artists including Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Ian McKellen, and Elton John signed an open letter supporting the amendment. They warned that without protection, the UK risks losing its standing as a creative leader and forfeiting future income to dominant overseas tech companies.

Balancing Creative Rights and Technological Reality

Clegg acknowledges the creative community's desire for control, but points out the technical hurdles involved. “I think people should have clear, easy ways to say, ‘No, I want out of this,’” he said. “But expecting the industry to ask permission before training — I just don’t see how that works with the physics of the technology itself.”

His comments highlight the tension between protecting artists' rights and enabling AI innovation. For creatives, this means staying informed about policy changes and understanding how AI tools might impact their work.

What Creatives Should Consider

• Follow legislative developments affecting AI and copyright.
• Explore AI training resources to better understand how these systems use creative content.
• Engage in discussions about fair use and data rights to influence balanced policies.

For those interested in learning more about AI and its intersection with creative industries, Complete AI Training offers courses that cover relevant topics including AI ethics, copyright challenges, and practical AI applications.