Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Regulation

 

The development of AI presents tremendous opportunities, but it must be handled with care, ensuring ethical oversight, transparency, and protections for individual rights.

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues and I advocate for a well-resourced AI framework that encourages innovation while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals. To achieve this, we support the establishment of a cross-sector AI regulator which should combine flexible ethical oversight and technical expertise. Such a regulator would work closely with industry and civil society to ensure safety, accountability, and trust, and uphold ethical standards by developing legally binding requirements for risk assessment, testing, audit, and responsible design. Furthermore, we propose the introduction of a code of ethics for AI professionals, ensuring accountability in high-risk and large-scale AI applications.

Beyond regulation, we are committed to strengthening public rights in the face of automated decision-making. That includes introducing a new Digital Bill of Rights and ensuring a statutory right to an explanation and appeal when AI decisions significantly impact individuals.

We are disappointed with the Labour Government’s recent stance on AI regulation. By aligning with President Trump and refusing to sign the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet, Labour has isolated the UK on the global stage, rejecting international cooperation on ethical AI development.

The Government’s position on AI and copyright is equally concerning. We must strike a balance between fostering AI innovation and protecting the fundamental rights of creators and copyright holders. The Liberal Democrats are calling for:  

Transparency in AI development, ensuring public confidence in the use of creative content.  

Robust, independent auditing of AI training data, guaranteeing accountability in content usage.  

Fair remuneration for creators, ensuring copyright holders receive appropriate benefits from AI-driven performance synthesis and streaming technologies. 

Our Science and Technology spokesperson, Victoria Collins MP, proposed amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to uphold the rights of copyright holders, against Labour’s exemptions for text and data mining. This would be an important step in ensuring fairness in AI-driven content creation.

The Liberal Democrats urge the Government to reconsider its approach and adopt a forward-thinking, rights-focused AI policy. The UK must not lag but lead with ethical and transparent innovation that serves the public interest.

We will monitor Government policy and seek constructive engagement to ensure AI is developed responsibly in the UK.