Last month, John backed Paul McCartney in criticising a proposed overhaul of the UK copyright system, and has called for new rules to prevent tech companies from riding “roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods”.
Many figures in the music world have spoken out about AI’s threat to creativity, with artists including Billie Eilish and Stevie Wonder signing an open letter last year calling for protections against the predatory use of artificial intelligence.
The singer and songwriter is among a growing list of public figures to express concerns about plans that would allow tech firms to use online material, including creative work, for AI without permission.
Under current government proposals, creators would need to opt out of their work being used, however some of the campaign’s advocates, including Simon Cowell and the author Kate Mosse, have called for an opt-in system in place.
The letter, issued by the Artist Rights Alliance advocacy group, broadly called for tech companies to pledge not to develop AI tools that could replace or undermine human songwriters and artists.
