Elton John warns AI plans would ‘threaten’ artist earnings as he backs McCartney
Elton John warns AI plans would ‘threaten’ artist earnings as he backs McCartney
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Sir Elton John has warned that artificial intelligence will “dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further” as he backed Sir Paul McCartney’s criticism of a proposed overhaul of copyright law. The use of copyrighted material to help train artificial intelligence models is the subject of a newly launched Government consultation, which looks at how artists can license and be remunerated for the use of their material, along with improving trust between the creative and AI sectors.
Sir Elton, 77, told The Sunday Times that the “wheels are in motion to allow AI companies to ride roughshod over the traditional copyright laws that protect artists’ livelihoods”. “This will allow global big tech companies to gain free and easy access to artists’ work in order to train their artificial intelligence and create competing music,” he added.
“This will dilute and threaten young artists’ earnings even further. “The musician community rejects it wholeheartedly.”. The winner of multiple awards, including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tonys, who has supported young artists, also said it is “harder than ever for new and emerging musicians to make the finances of the industry stack up to sustain a fledgling career, due to challenging financial situations, including the increased costs of touring.
