AI & Technology
UK Government Backtracks on AI Copyright Plans as Creative Sector Pushes for Licensing-First Rules
After criticism from creators and lawmakers, ministers say they no longer have a preferred option as the AI copyright debate is sent back for review.
By 19Network Editorial Team · May 20, 2026 · 3 min read
The UK has stepped back from its earlier copyright proposal for AI training, intensifying debate over how creators should be compensated and how AI firms should access content.
The UK government has shifted away from its earlier position on copyright and artificial intelligence after intense criticism from the creative sector and lawmakers. According to the BBC, ministers said they needed more time to “get this right,” and that they no longer had a preferred option on how to handle the use of copyrighted works in AI training. The original proposal would have allowed AI firms to use copyrighted material for training unless rights holders opted out. That approach triggered a strong backlash from authors, publishers, musicians and other creatives who argued that it risked weakening existing protections and shifting the burden onto rights holders rather than technology companies. The government’s latest move effectively pauses that direction while a broader review continues. At the heart of the dispute is a simple but difficult question: should AI systems be allowed to train on copyrighted content by default, or should companies first obtain permission and licensing? The House of Lords committee has argued for a licensing-first approach, saying creators should retain control and receive fair compensation for the use of their work. That stance reflects…