Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell Advocate for Stronger Copyright Protections Against AI
Prominent figures in the creative industry urge UK Government to reconsider plans that may undermine artists' rights in the age of artificial intelligence.
On February 22, 2025, Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell expressed their concerns regarding proposed changes to copyright regulations in the UK, which they believe could jeopardize the protection of creative talents from artificial intelligence (AI).
The artists have joined a campaign aimed at urging the Government to modify its proposals that would permit large corporations to utilize online material for AI development without compensating the original creators.
Under the proposed regulations, creators would have to actively opt out to prevent their work from being used, which has raised significant alarm among various stakeholders in the creative sectors.
Sir Elton John highlighted the UK’s creative sector as the "envy of the world" and warned that the current plan might compromise that status.
He emphasized the importance of long-standing copyright protections, which he referred to as the “world’s gold standard,” for fostering job creation and economic growth within the creative industries.
Cowell, the creator of the X Factor, reiterated the potential threat posed by inadequate AI regulation, stating that artists and industry professionals could be significantly affected.
He expressed strong disapproval of the notion that anyone might agree to relinquish the creative ideas originating from the UK without adequate compensation, framing the issue as a matter of personal creativity deserving of protection.
Support for the campaign also comes from other notable creators such as singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, Bafta-winning composer Nick Foster, and author Kate Mosse.
Mosse acknowledged the potential advantages of artificial intelligence but insisted that ensuring technology companies remunerate artists for their work is fundamental to fairness in the creative process.
She advocated for an opt-in system allowing creators to grant permission for the use of their work, in contrast to the proposed opt-out model.
In December 2024, Sir Keir Starmer comments regarding the UK’s creative industries underscored their significance, stating that the Government was actively consulting on relevant proposals.
He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to foster opportunities while protecting the interests of those within creative sectors.
The artists have joined a campaign aimed at urging the Government to modify its proposals that would permit large corporations to utilize online material for AI development without compensating the original creators.
Under the proposed regulations, creators would have to actively opt out to prevent their work from being used, which has raised significant alarm among various stakeholders in the creative sectors.
Sir Elton John highlighted the UK’s creative sector as the "envy of the world" and warned that the current plan might compromise that status.
He emphasized the importance of long-standing copyright protections, which he referred to as the “world’s gold standard,” for fostering job creation and economic growth within the creative industries.
Cowell, the creator of the X Factor, reiterated the potential threat posed by inadequate AI regulation, stating that artists and industry professionals could be significantly affected.
He expressed strong disapproval of the notion that anyone might agree to relinquish the creative ideas originating from the UK without adequate compensation, framing the issue as a matter of personal creativity deserving of protection.
Support for the campaign also comes from other notable creators such as singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading, Bafta-winning composer Nick Foster, and author Kate Mosse.
Mosse acknowledged the potential advantages of artificial intelligence but insisted that ensuring technology companies remunerate artists for their work is fundamental to fairness in the creative process.
She advocated for an opt-in system allowing creators to grant permission for the use of their work, in contrast to the proposed opt-out model.
In December 2024, Sir Keir Starmer comments regarding the UK’s creative industries underscored their significance, stating that the Government was actively consulting on relevant proposals.
He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to foster opportunities while protecting the interests of those within creative sectors.
