Paul McCartney Warns Against AI Copyright Law Changes

Paul McCartney is raising concerns that proposed changes to copyright laws in Britain could negatively affect the next generation of musicians. He warns these changes would allow AI developers to use content from artists without proper compensation, making it difficult for them to earn a living.

The legendary former Beatle expressed his fears in a recent interview, stating that these new laws would effectively rob young artists of their rights to their own creations. "You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don’t own it, and they don’t have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off," he said.

The British government is considering allowing tech companies to use copyrighted material to help train AI programs, which could lead to copyright infringement. McCartney, who has a substantial net worth of $1.2 billion, believes that any revenue generated from creative work should go to the artists who produced it, not big tech corporations.

Although artists would be given the option to opt-out of this arrangement, critics argue that it would be virtually impossible for musicians to monitor thousands of AI service providers to ensure their work is not being used without permission.

"The truth is, the money’s going somewhere. When it gets on the streaming platforms, somebody is getting it, and it should be the person who created it," McCartney emphasized. "It shouldn’t just be some tech giant somewhere."

Reflecting on his early career with The Beatles, McCartney noted that the band was able to make a living while doing something they loved. "When we were kids in Liverpool, we found a job that we loved, but it also paid the bills," he recalled.

When asked what message he would send to lawmakers pursuing these changes, he responded firmly: "We’re the people, you’re the government. You’re supposed to protect us. That’s your job." He further cautioned that should the law come into effect, fewer individuals would be able to thrive in creative fields, thereby diminishing the overall contribution of art to society.

"So you know, if you’re putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you’re not going to have them," he warned.

music, copyright, AI