Government Publishes Response to AI White Paper Consultation
On 6th February, the government published its response to the AI white paper consultation that took place in 2023 and to which PLS submitted written evidence.
The consultation response reaffirms the government’s principle-based, pro-innovation approach to AI regulation, and provides further detail as to how regulators will identify needs and risks within their sectors and interact with the government’s central function, who will provide coordination across the different regulators and address any regulatory gaps.
In the response to the consultation, referring to government’s aim of protecting intellectual property whilst enabling AI innovation, the government restates its commitment to supporting both AI technology and creative sectors. The government’s response also acknowledges the concerns of rightsholders with copyright infringement and the illegal copying of content for use in the training of AI models but also highlights the demand of AI developers to have a wide range of high-quality data sets.
The response confirms that it is to halt an IPO-led working group of rightsholder groups and AI developers that met for a series of roundtable meetings last year to discuss and agree upon a voluntary code of conduct for the use of copyright protected work in the training of AI models. The response explains that the working group was unable to reach agreement on an effective voluntary code.
The government will now pursue a ministerial-led approach with both DSIT and DCMS ministers leading a period of engagement with AI developers and rightsholders with a view to finding a solution that allows both sectors to develop in partnership. Reassuringly, the government explains that the foundations of the new approach will be the development of trust and transparency, with the government looking to explore mechanisms for proving transparency of AI models.
You can read the government’s response here.
PLS Chief Executive Tom West said:
“It is disappointing that the work to develop a code of practice has been halted. In the next minister-led engagement phase, I would urge the government to continue to bring together the creative industries and AI developers to explore areas where cooperation can help support AI innovation whilst respecting and protecting the legitimate interests of rightsholders..
PLS was created to meet a licensing need brought about by technological innovation and for over 40 years since we have highlighted the benefits of direct and voluntary collective licensing. PLS firmly believes that licensing offers the best solution for both rightsholders and AI developers and that the licensing market for AI should be allowed to evolve to meet market demand, continue to facilitate future technological progress, and help act as an incentive to human creativity.”