Technology

Sir Elton John brands UK data bill theft on a grand scale and vows to fight for artists’ rights

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 12:14AM UTC

Sir Elton John has condemned the UK government’s proposed Data Use and Access Bill, warning it risks stripping artists of control over their work by allowing AI companies to use creative content without permission or payment. Joined by hundreds of musicians, John calls for urgent legislative reform to protect creators amid growing fears of exploitation by tech giants.

Music superstar Sir Elton John has fiercely condemned the UK government's proposed Data Use and Access Bill, asserting that it represents "theft on a grand scale." The 78-year-old artist argues that the legislation would allow major tech companies to utilise artists' work for AI training without obtaining proper permission or compensation, raising serious concerns about the future rights of creators.

Speaking passionately to the BBC, John expressed his frustrations, labelling government officials as “absolute losers” for what he perceives as a betrayal of the artists who have significantly contributed to Britain's cultural identity. He voiced particular concern for emerging artists, many of whom lack the resources necessary to effectively defend their work against the encroachments of well-resourced tech firms. “It’s criminal and I feel incredibly betrayed,” John remarked, underlining the ethical implications of allowing AI to operate unchecked within the creative arena.

The proposed bill has sparked an intense debate within the arts community. Currently, it would permit AI developers to train their models on creative works—including music, literature, and visual art—unless creators proactively opt out. Critics warn that this creates an almost impossible burden on artists to monitor and protect their own work, especially when faced with the financial capabilities of large tech firms.

John underscored a fundamental tenet of artistic creation, stating, “A machine hasn’t got a soul, hasn’t got a heart, it doesn’t possess human feeling, it doesn’t have passion.” This sentiment resonates widely among artists and advocates who fear that allowing machines to use their creative output without consent diminishes the human connection intrinsic to art.

The legislative journey of this bill has been tumultuous. While the House of Lords sought to amend it, insisting that tech companies secure permissions before using copyrighted content, the subsequent rejection by the House of Commons has left its future uncertain and the creative community in a state of outrage. More than 400 prominent artists—including the likes of Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran, and Andrew Lloyd Webber—have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer urging for enhanced copyright protections in the evolving landscape of AI technology.

Tom Kiehl, the CEO of UK Music, has echoed John’s concerns, warning that the government seems “on the brink of offering the UK’s world-leading music industry as a sacrificial lamb.” He contends that allowing AI to exploit creative works without proper permissions would be a “catastrophic mistake,” endangering the very foundation of emerging talent.

In response to widespread dissent, government officials assert that they are committed to developing a balanced policy that considers both the needs of the creative industries and the ambitions of AI development. They claim to be engaging with stakeholders to ensure that any changes serve the interests of creators, but these assurances have done little to quell the growing fears among artists and rights holders.

Elton John has pledged to continue the fight against the bill, even threatening legal action if necessary. “We will fight this every step of the way,” he proclaimed, urging Prime Minister Starmer to "get a grip" and to uphold the integrity of the arts against what many perceive as an encroaching threat from technological advancements.

As the debate over AI, copyright, and the future of creativity unfolds in the UK, what remains at stake is significant: the fundamental right of artists to control and be compensated for their own work. With the bill currently stalled in legislative limbo, both proponents and opponents are bracing for a protracted battle, one that may have profound implications for the relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence moving forward.

The growing unrest among the artistic community has manifested in various forms, including a silent protest album titled "Is This What We Want?", featuring contributions from over 1,000 British musicians, including John himself. The album—which consists of recordings of empty studios—symbolises the potential loss of creative control and aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect artistic rights.

As discussions continue, it is evident that the future of the UK’s creative industries hangs in the balance, with many artists advocating for strong copyright laws that safeguard their livelihoods and ensure that their contributions are not reduced to mere fodder for machine learning.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://techstory.in/elton-john-slams-big-techs-free-ai-training-on-artists-work/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/criminal-elton-john-condemns-uks-ai-copyright-plans-2025-05-18/ - Elton John has strongly criticized the UK government's proposal to relax copyright laws, allowing AI developers to train models on creative content without guaranteed compensation to original creators. Supported by artists like Paul McCartney and Ed Sheeran, John argues this move undermines the livelihoods of young artists who lack resources to protect their work against large tech firms. He emphasized the irreplaceable emotional and human qualities of art that machines cannot replicate. The government insists it is consulting stakeholders and will not proceed with any policy change unless it benefits both AI development and the creative industry.
https://www.ft.com/content/5a6601f7-a9c9-4f3b-a205-b4f8fe3e688d - Over 400 leading UK musicians, artists, and media executives, including Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Richard Curtis, have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to support stronger copyright protections against unauthorized AI usage. They advocate for an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, proposed by Baroness Beeban Kidron, which would require AI developers to disclose which specific copyrighted materials—such as music, books, and films—have been used to train their models. The amendment aims to ensure transparency and prevent what is described as the mass theft of creative works by AI firms.
https://apnews.com/article/b260a4c6f0fdf732fb4994cdeb1710a4 - Paul McCartney has expressed concerns over potential changes to UK copyright laws that may allow artificial intelligence (AI) companies to use copyrighted materials unless creators opt out. McCartney argues this could lead to artists losing control of their work and damage Britain’s creative industries. The UK government is consulting on new copyright laws intended to balance creators’ control and compensation for AI use of their works, while supporting AI development. McCartney insists that the government should protect artists’ rights to their creations, preventing tech companies from profiting unfairly.
https://www.ft.com/content/f26bda64-1237-4188-8540-210367567089 - The author, a novelist, is alarmed by the unauthorized use of their work by AI models, exemplified by Meta scraping content from their novel 'Labyrinth' without consent or compensation. Despite appreciating AI's potential to enhance creativity, the author condemns the theft of intellectual property, a practice that threatens the UK's robust creative economy and copyright laws which have historically protected creators. Recent discussions in the UK parliament have focused on this issue, with notable resistance to government proposals to weaken copyright protections in favor of AI developers. The author advocates for strong copyright laws to ensure creators derive fair economic benefits from their work, warning that diminishing these protections will stifle creativity and harm the thriving UK creative industries.
https://musictechpolicy.com/2025/02/03/uk-governments-ai-legislation-is-defeated-in-the-house-of-lords/ - The UK government's proposed changes to allow AI companies to use copyrighted material without proper compensation were defeated in the House of Lords. Critics, including Elton John and Paul McCartney, argued that the legislation would enable big tech companies to exploit artists' work without permission, threatening the livelihoods of emerging artists. The opposition highlights broader concerns within the creative community about the potential impact of AI on artists' rights and earnings. The House of Lords' decision underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between technological advancement and the protection of creative industries.
https://apnews.com/article/dc80620c1c226a816048b87fb30309c4 - A silent album titled 'Is This What We Want?' has been released by over 1,000 British musicians, including notable artists like Kate Bush and Elton John, to protest proposed changes to U.K. AI laws that could allow tech firms to use copyrighted material to train AI models without creators' consent. The album's 12 tracks are recordings of empty studios symbolizing the potential loss of creative control. The protest aims to protect the interests of musicians and preserve the integrity of Britain's creative industries. Profits from the album will support the charity Help Musicians. The consultation on these law changes closes on Tuesday, with strong opposition from artists and media companies. The UK government insists the new approach will favor both AI developers and right holders.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative appears to be recent, referencing ongoing debates and legislative actions in the UK. However, specific dates or timestamps are not provided to confirm the exact freshness.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: Elton John's quotes are not verified against earlier sources, but they are presented as recent statements made to the BBC. The lack of online confirmation slightly reduces the score.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from TechStory, a publication not widely recognized for fact-checking or known for its reliability compared to major news outlets like the BBC or Financial Times. The quotes attributed to Elton John were reportedly made to the BBC, enhancing credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the Data Use and Access Bill and its implications for artists are plausible, given the context of ongoing debates about AI and copyright. However, specific details about the bill's status and reactions are not thoroughly verified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative discusses a contentious issue regarding AI and copyright, with Elton John's statements highlighting artists' concerns. While the context is plausible, the reliability of the publication and lack of specific dates reduce confidence. Verification of quotes and further context could enhance the assessment.

Elton John
Data Use and Access Bill
AI and copyright
UK government
music industry