The UK’s creative industries, a £124.6bn crown jewel, are at risk of being damaged by the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the economy.
The creative industries are among the UK’s most valuable assets, contributing approximately £124.6bn to the economy in 2022. These sectors have been growing faster than the wider economy for decades and play a significant role in Britain’s cultural reach and soft power.
The creative industries are a diverse group of sectors that generate economic value through the creation and exploitation of intellectual property.
These industries include arts, design, media, and culture, among others.
According to a report by the World Bank, the creative industries account for 2.5% of global GDP and employ over 30 million people worldwide.
The UK is one of the leading countries in the creative industries, with sectors like film and television production, video games development, and music contributing significantly to its economy.
However, a recent report warns that unregulated use of ‘artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK economy risks damaging this thriving sector.’ The report argues that the current uncertainty around intellectual property (IP) is hindering innovation and undermining the growth of creative industries.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone significant development since its inception in the 1950s.
The term was coined by John McCarthy, and since then, AI has become a multidisciplinary field combining computer science, mathematics, and engineering.
AI applications include natural language processing, machine learning, and robotics.
According to a report by Gartner, global AI spending is expected to reach $190 billion by 2025.
The growth of AI has led to various industries adopting its technologies, including healthcare, finance, and transportation.
The Tech Industry’s Agenda
The tech industry has been pushing for changes to copyright laws, seeking to make it easier for them to train their AI models on other people’s creative work without permission or payment. This move is part of a broader effort by tech firms to gain free access to intellectual property and change the way that creators are compensated.
A Threat to Creative Workers
The aim of public policy should be building a copyright regime that respects ‘creative workers’ and engenders confidence in AI deployment. This means carefully researching and thinking through any changes to IP law, rather than implementing them on the whims of tech bros or ministers anxious to align with Washington‘s oligarchs.
Creative workers, including artists, designers, and writers, have seen a significant increase in demand over the past decade.
According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of creative occupations is projected to grow 10% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth can be attributed to the increasing importance of digital media and the rise of e-commerce.
As a result, companies are looking for skilled creatives to develop engaging content and experiences.
A Delicate Clock
As we navigate the complex systems of AI development, it is essential to remember that even if tech corporations are as rich as Croesus, they should not be entrusted with delicate clocks. The unregulated use of generative AI in the UK economy will not necessarily lead to economic growth and risks damaging the UK’s creative sector.
Moral Imperatives
There are three key takeaways from this story:
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The stakes are high: get it wrong, and we risk losing one of ‘global’ Britain’s most vibrant industries.
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Any changes to UK IP law in response to AI need careful research and thought, not whimsical implementation.
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We must prioritize building a copyright regime that respects creative workers and engenders confidence in AI deployment.
