The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, and the arts are no exception. While AI presents exciting possibilities for innovation, it also poses significant risks for musicians, artists, writers, and performers in the UK. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated, creatives must be aware of the potential threats to their work, livelihoods, and artistic integrity.
- AI and Copyright Infringement
AI models are trained on vast datasets, often scraping creative works without consent. This raises serious concerns about copyright infringement and intellectual property (IP) rights. Many artists and musicians have found their work replicated by AI systems without credit or compensation. The current legal framework in the UK struggles to keep pace with these developments, leaving creatives vulnerable to unauthorised use of their work.
Real Examples of AI Scraping Impacting UK Artists
- Musicians: UK singer-songwriter Holly Herndon has been vocal about AI-generated music tools that mimic artists’ voices and styles. She created Holly+ (see https://holly.plus), an AI-generated version of her voice, to take control over how AI interacts with her work, but many artists without resources are left unprotected.
- Visual Artists: British illustrator Dan Mumford found his distinct artwork style appearing in AI-generated image databases, leading to unauthorised reproductions of his work across various platforms, which diluted his brand.
- Writers and Journalists: AI scraping of UK newspapers has led to automated content generation, sparking concerns about diminishing freelance journalism opportunities. Prominent authors like Joanne Harris have raised alarms about AI text generation tools pulling from published novels without permission.
- The Erosion of Creative Jobs
AI-powered tools can generate music, artwork, and even scripts, often at a fraction of the cost of human labour. This could lead to a decline in demand for traditional creative professionals, particularly in commercial and freelance sectors. While AI can be a useful aid, over-reliance on it could result in fewer job opportunities for musicians, visual artists, theatre professionals, and writers.
- Deepfakes and Synthetic Media
AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media pose additional risks, particularly for performers and public figures. AI can mimic voices, faces, and performances, making it possible to create convincing yet fraudulent representations of artists without their permission. This not only undermines the integrity of original performances but can also lead to reputational damage and loss of control over personal brand identity.
In 2023, deepfake technology was used to generate a fake interview with British actor Stephen Fry, where AI replicated his voice and mannerisms without his consent. The fraudulent content circulated widely, leading to concerns about how AI could be used to spread misinformation and damage artists’ reputations.
- Ethical and Cultural Dilution
The arts thrive on human expression, emotion, and lived experience. AI-generated content, whilst impressive, often lacks the depth, authenticity, and cultural significance that human-created works embody. If AI-generated art dominates, it could lead to a homogenisation of creative expression, eroding the rich diversity of the UK’s cultural and artistic landscape.
- Legal Protections: Where Do Creatives Stand?
UK law currently provides limited protection against AI-related threats to the creative industries. While there are discussions about updating copyright laws to account for AI, enforcement remains challenging. The UK Government is currently proposing new AI regulations to address these issues. Some of the key proposals, led by Michelle Donelan, the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Paul Scully, the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, include:
- Mandatory Transparency Requirements: AI developers may be required to disclose when AI has been used to generate creative works.
- Strengthened Copyright Protection: New laws could provide clearer copyright protections for artists whose works are used in AI training.
- Ethical AI Use Standards: A regulatory body may be established to ensure AI-generated content adheres to ethical guidelines and does not unfairly displace human creativity.
- Additional Concerns from the AI Industry Debate
Recent discussions, as highlighted in the BBC’s ‘Rethink’ programme, have raised major concerns about the use of personal and copyrighted data in AI training. Large Silicon Valley firms have been accused of altering terms and conditions to automatically include user data in their training models unless they explicitly opt out. While EU and UK privacy laws provide some protections, similar safeguards do not exist in the United States, where many AI firms are based.
Furthermore, Jack Stilgoe, Professor of Science and Technology Studies at University College London, warns that AI companies are exploiting publicly available data without compensation, treating it as a “gift economy.” This raises critical ethical and economic issues, particularly for artists and content creators who find their work used without permission.
Meanwhile, Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet, revealed that AI companies have attempted to scrape user-generated content from online forums, often in violation of website terms and conditions.
- Strategies for Defeating AI: Insights from Prof Ben Zhao
Professor Ben Zhao, a leading expert in AI and cybersecurity, has developed several strategies to counteract AI scraping and manipulation. Some of his key approaches include:
- Glaze (https://glaze.cs.uchicago.edu): A tool designed to distort artworks in ways imperceptible to humans but disruptive to AI training models, helping artists protect their styles from replication.
- Nightshade (https://nightshade.cs.uchicago.edu): A tool that subtly manipulates images to poison AI datasets, misleading models into misclassifying objects.
- Legal and Ethical Advocacy: Zhao has also advocated for stronger policy interventions to regulate AI’s use of creative content.
- What Can You Do?
- Advocate for Stronger Protections: Support organisations lobbying for updated copyright and intellectual property laws to protect human creators.
- Understand Your Rights: Stay informed about licensing agreements, AI-generated content laws, and digital rights management.
- Use AI Responsibly: While AI can be a helpful tool, creatives should use it to enhance rather than replace human-driven artistry.
- Raise Awareness: Engage in discussions, collaborate with advocacy groups, and educate fellow artists about AI risks and ethical concerns.
The AI revolution is here, but creatives in the UK must not let technology outpace the legal and ethical safeguards needed to protect human artistry. By staying informed and advocating for responsible AI use, we can ensure that technology enhances rather than diminishes the arts.