LONDON — In a move to address growing concerns from the creative industries and lawmakers regarding proposed changes to U.K. copyright laws aimed at facilitating artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, the government is planning a fresh series of reviews.

These reviews are intended to explore technical solutions that would enable creators to easily opt-out of having their work used without permission for AI training, providing greater clarity on the usage of their content.

The proposed legislation, which allows AI firms to utilize copyrighted content without explicit consent from rights holders unless they opt-out, has sparked significant protests from the creative sector.

Critics argue that the regulation may disproportionately benefit U.S.-based tech companies while jeopardizing the livelihoods of British artists.

The government is currently reviewing over 11,000 responses collected during a public consultation that concluded on February 25. While the official timeline for the government’s response remains on track, with expected legislation in the next parliamentary session, it is acknowledged that the reviews could delay the overall process.

Ministers have committed to ensuring that no measures will progress without consensus on workable mechanisms for creators to opt-out and transparency requirements for AI firms on how models are trained.

Data Minister Chris Bryant has emphasized the need for caution, stating that stakeholders had expressed a desire for a deliberate approach rather than a rushed legislative process.

Proposals for new reviews will be attached to amendments in the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

This has raised concerns among critics that those proposed adjustments may not adequately address the underlying issues.

Prominent figures in the creative sector, such as crossbench peer Beeban Kidron, have stated that revisions will be necessary to safeguard U.K. creators.

The current proposal relies on technical frameworks, which officials admit are not yet sufficiently developed.

Discussions are ongoing about how to effectively implement measures that would track the creative work utilized by AI and ensure compliance with opt-out requests.

Additionally, cross-industry working groups have been initiated to seek viable technical options to address the challenges posed by the government’s copyright proposals.

Efforts to integrate transparency measures for AI firms are also under review, with officials considering models from jurisdictions such as California and the European Union.

Advocates within the creative community are urging the government to prioritize these transparency measures, while AI companies have expressed concerns over potential obligations that could expose them to lawsuits and reveal proprietary information.

Several representatives from the tech sector have proposed significant reforms to U.K. copyright laws that would relax restrictions, arguing for a shift away from an approach perceived as overly focused on the creative industries.

The ongoing negotiations convey the U.K. government’s aim to foster a tech-focused trade agreement with the U.S. and avoid potential tariffs on British exports.

Recent reports have indicated that strict copyright enforcement could pose challenges to transatlantic relations; however, a pragmatic approach based on technical solutions would likely mitigate such risks.