OpenAI and Google are among the high-profile critics of the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law, which would allow AI models to use publicly available content for training without needing permission from rights holders.
Their formal objections, submitted ahead of the February consultation deadline, add to the growing wave of dissent from the tech and creative communities.
What the UK Government Proposed
The UK government’s “preferred option” aims to revise copyright law, permitting commercial AI training on public data by default unless rights holders opt out. It also introduces stricter transparency requirements for how AI firms use training data. In response to early concerns, ministers have announced plans to commission technical reviews to evaluate the best approach for implementing the changes.
Opt-Out Models Are Unworkable
OpenAI’s written response raised multiple concerns, including the difficulties faced by the European Union with opt-out frameworks. The company warned that the proposed models might be unfeasible due to technical and legal issues and cautioned that tighter transparency requirements could drive developers away from the UK. “The U.K. has a rare opportunity to cement itself as the AI capital of Europe by making choices that avoid policy uncertainty, foster innovation, and drive economic growth,” the company wrote, recommending a broad copyright exemption to provide more clarity for developers.
Training on the Open Web Must Remain Free
Google also voiced opposition to the proposal, highlighting that rights holders already have tools at their disposal, such as the ability to block web crawlers, to prevent AI firms from accessing their content. The company questioned the usefulness of opt-outs that do not guarantee compensation and warned that the proposed regulation could disrupt the AI ecosystem.
“We believe training on the open web must be free,” Google stated, adding that “excessive transparency requirements… could hinder AI development and impact the UK’s competitiveness in this space.”
Mounting Pressure from All Sides
The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s consultation on the proposal received more than 11,000 responses, reflecting widespread public and industry concern. The government’s plan has already faced pushback from creatives and Members of Parliament, who argue it could weaken copyright protections in favor of unregulated technological expansion.
OpenAI and Google’s objections are not new, as both companies also urged the White House last month to reject foreign efforts to impose similar strict copyright and transparency obligations.
UK Government Says It’s Still Listening
While criticism of the proposal continues to grow, the UK government has not yet committed to any immediate legislative changes. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology told POLITICO: “We are carefully considering the consultation responses and continue to engage with tech companies, the creative industries, and Parliament to inform our approach.”
They further emphasized: “We have always been clear that no changes will be made until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers on each of our objectives.”
Conclusion
The government’s final decision on the proposal will have far-reaching consequences for the UK’s position in the global AI race and for the protection of creative rights in an increasingly automated digital space.
The UK faces a challenging balancing act between fostering innovation and ensuring the protection of intellectual property, with pressure building from both tech leaders and rights holders.