Creative industries in the UK are launching a Make it Fair campaign – raising awareness of AI companies’ unpaid use of content.

The campaign highlights how AI companies, with ease, can use artists’ work without permission, acknowledgement, and even payment.

Make it Fair comes as the Government is currently assessing responses from a consultation to decide whether AI companies can use content without permission. Sir Chris Bryant, media and creative industries minister, wants “a strong copyright system in the UK”.

“For a healthy democratic society, copyright is fundamental to publishers’ ability to invest in trusted quality journalism,” commented Owen

Meredith, CEO of the News Media Association. “The only thing which needs affirming is that these laws also apply to AI and transparency requirements should be introduced to allow creators to understand when their content is being used.

“Instead, the government proposes to weaken the law and essentially make it legal to steal content. There will be no AI innovation without the high-quality content that is the essential fuel for AI models.”

The government will assess responses from the consultation as it drafts the AI Bill, which is led by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Separately, MPs are currently debating provisions to the existing Data Bill that would make existing copyright laws enforceable amid the rise of AI.

Meredith added: “We’re appealing to the great British public to get behind our ‘Make it Fair’ campaign and call on the government to guarantee creatives are able to secure proper financial reward from AI firms to ensure a sustainable future for both AI and the creative industries.”

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